Rebates:
Some people decide to attend therapy without opting for any available rebates and of course you are free to do this. However there are various programs available to provide financial support as follows:
Under Medicare:
The majority of my work is via referral from a General Practitioner or psychiatrist with a Mental Health Plan under Medicare. These referrals attract a rebate of $89.65 per 50 minute session. To obtain this referral you would need to talk to your doctor about your symptoms and ask for a referral under Medicare.
The initial referral under Medicare is for 6 sessions. A further 4 sessions can usually be obtained after a review and re-referral by your doctor. Beyond this there may be further sessions available due to extended programs with the Covid Pandemic. This would need to be checked at the time of referral. The Medicare scheme can be renewed at the beginning of each calendar year.
Medicare rebates can be processed electronically at the end of each session after payment is made. Please ensure that you bring your Medicare Card and a savings card to deposit your rebate electronically.
Private health:
Alternatively you may be able to claim a rebate under you private health insurance. You would need to check your policy.
National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), Work Cover or Motor Accident Authority (Transport Accident Commission-TAC)
If you have an accepted claim these organisations may pay the whole cost of sessions if there is a doctors referral and the treatment issues relate to a current claim.
Fees:
In setting my fees I endeavour to strike a balance between making my fees as affordable as possible with a Medicare rebate, whilst maintaining my ability to provide the highest quality service in what is often complex and challenging work. (Note: The recommended rate for a 50 minute session with a psychologist set by the Australian Psychological Society for 1/7/21 to 30/6/22 is $267).
Having not raised my fees for 7 years I have increased them as of 2/11/22.
My fee for a fifty minute individual session is $190. For a fifty minute couple session the fee is $245.
With a rebate of $89.65, the gap is $100.35 for an individual session.
Note: In regard to couple sessions, an individual Mental Health Plan can be used in a couple session as long as the person who has that plan is in the session and the session content pertains to the reason for the Mental Health Plan referral.
Requests for letters and reports: I am often asked by clients to provide brief letters of attendance and progress or recommendations about specific circumstances (aside from the normal requirements under Medicare). These letters accumulate into quite a lot of extra work and secretarial support. Brief letters, of any type, of less than a page, attract a fee of $120. More comprehensive reports are charged at the APS rate of $267 per hour.
Payment:
Full payment is to be made at the end of each session by cash or credit card. A receipt will be provided to claim on Medicare. This can be processed electronically at the end of the session if you bring your current Medicare card and a savings account card that can receive the rebate (ie: not a credit card).
Rescheduling and cancellation policy:
The viability of my practice and my ability to provide fees significantly below the recommended rate set by the Australian Psychological Society is dependent on maintaining a high ratio of bookings. Also, many people are in crisis and may be on a waiting list. The more notice I have of rescheduling or cancellation, the more likely I will be able to offer an appointment to someone else. Therefore please give as much notice as possible if you need to reschedule of cancel.
Rescheduling or cancellation with less than 48 hours notice will attract a fee of $50 for health care card holders and $100 for non health care card holders. This fee is NOT refundable by Medicare, Work Cover or other compensation organisations.