GP Mental Health Care Plan
In order to be able to claim the Medicare rebate when referred by a GP, you need to see your GP (or psychiatrist or paediatrician) - ask for a longer than usual appointment - and the GP will assess whether you qualify for the initiation of a Mental Health Care Plan (Medicare item 2710). A copy of this Plan, or a letter to say that you have a Plan, must be brought with you on your initial consultation.
In any one calendar year Medicare rebates are available for up to 10 individual sessions (with a review by your referring doctor being required after the initial six sessions), AND up to 10 group session services.
Eligible clients for a GP Mental Health Care Plan are individuals who have been assessed by their doctor as having one or more of the following clinically diagnosable disorders that significantly interfere with an individual's cognitive, emotional or social abilities. This includes people with:
| • Chronic Psychotic Disorders |
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder |
| • Schizophrenia |
• Eating Disorders |
| • Bipolar Disorder |
• Panic Disorder |
| • Phobic Disorders |
• Alcohol use Disorders |
| • Generalised Anxiety Disorder |
• Drug use Disorders |
| • Adjustment Disorder |
• Sleep Problems |
| • Depression |
• Hyperkinetic (Attention Deficit) Disorder |
| • Sexual Disorders |
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder |
| • Conduct Disorder |
• Mixed Anxiety and Depression |
| • Bereavement Disorders |
• Acute Psychotic Disorders |
Your referring doctor may specify individual and/or group therapy for any of the following Focused Psychological Strategies in a Mental Health Care Plan:
1.Psycho-education (including motivational interviewing)
2. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, including:
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Behavioural interventions |
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Behaviour modification (especially for children, including behavioural
analysis and contingency management) |
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Exposure techniques |
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Activity scheduling |
Cognitive interventions |
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Cognitive analysis |
3. Relaxation strategies
| • |
Progressive Relaxation Strategies |
| • |
Controlled breathing |
4. Skills training
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Problem-solving skills training |
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Anger management |
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Stress management |
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Communication training |
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Social skills training |
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Parent management training |
5. Interpersonal Therapy (especially for Depression)
