MHCP

@Zoe7 Well that IS super interesting. So in special circumstances (and let's face it, I'm special ), you actually can get 20 medicare funded sessions in a calander year. How is it that people don't know about this??? I am going to explore this more when I'm awake. Even on the APS website it doesn't mention this. It super clearly states that you can only have 10 sessions per year and about a bazillion people have told me the same thing.

Thank you for dot-points, that super helped.

Google images would say there are HEAPS of creepy care bears out there @Phoenix_Rising 😉 I'm not really that creepy though 🙂

I have to head off soon too but am keen on continuing this conversation, so if a thread hasn't magically appeared over night (for anyone interested in starting it), I can start one tomorrow.

Goodnight @outlander in case I don't bump into you again before heading off. Thank you for letting us use this space for a random, but probably pretty important, off topic chat for a while 🙂

@Phoenix_Rising @Zoe7 @Former-Member @CheerBear @outlander

Just to add my twopenny worth.......

I too have been told by my psychologist that in special circumstances a request can be put in for additional sessions within the same 12 month period....

It is probably another one of those government department things where someone knows someone who knows how to word the application type of situation

persist is my motto

Sorry to jump in again @Former-Member but your referral AND the initial 10 rebated sessions under a MHCP run for a year from the date issued and do not reset as of the first of January. For instance my intiial MHCP began on 1st October 2016 and another MHCP could not be issued until 1st October 2017 (this year),

...but a subsequent 10 sessions under a 'revised' MHCP were able to be accessed 3 months after the initial 10 sessions had been undertaken.

I believe there is quite some confusion within the 'industry' (eg psychologists/GP's) also with the 'calendar' year and an actual year (12 months consecutive).

It used to be 12 visits under a MHCP a year but that was changed to 10 some years ago @Former-Member (can't remember the exact year!)

You should ask for clarification there @Former-Member as medicare is federal not state. It hasn't been 12 for many years under federal government.

You’ve confused me, @Zoe7.

Yes, a MHCP can only be issued (and billed) once a year, so it runs for 12 months from the date it is issued.

The rebated sessions are available per calendar year. So as of January 1st, 10 sessions are available (an initial 6 sessions, plus 4 additional sessions after a review—a review can be billed after 3 months).

This link to the Department of Health definitely says 10 sessions ’per calendar year’ and that is the advice I have received from Medicare:

http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/mental-ba-fact-pat

As for the additional 10 sessions, I have never come across that (not since rebated sessions were reduced to 10 per year). I would love to know more about how to access them.