Medicare Frequently Asked Question  

Can I Get Medicare Rebates? 

Yes you can.  Because I’m a professional psychologist with a Medicare provider registration number, registered under the Australian Government’s Better Access to Mental Health Care initiative, then Medicare rebates are available.

Do I Need A GP Referral To Get A Medicare Rebate?

Yes you do.  To access the Medicare rebate, you need a GP or psychiatrist to complete an assessment and prepare a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) before referring you.  When calling your GP to book in to get a MHTP you should say that you need a “long consultation” or else they’ll get miffed, because it takes your GP a while to complete your assessment and the related paperwork.

Can I Get My Medicare Rebate On The Spot?

Yes you can.  If you’ve got your referral/MHTP, and your bank account details are registered with Medicare, then your Medicare rebate can be processed on the spot, and the rebate transferred directly into your bank account – it usually happens overnight.  If you don’t have your bank account details registered with Medicare, I can email your receipt to you, which you can then take to Medicare and claim.

How Much Does It Cost?

Like a lot of Medicare services, you pay the full consultation fee, then you claim back your Medicare rebate – which is done instantly (see above)

	Total	Medicare Rebate	Your Co-payment
Initial Consultation – 50 mins	$277.00	$89.65	$187.35
Program Consultation – 50 mins	$227.00	$89.65	$137.35

I typically run a 3-session Foundations program followed by a 3-5-session Breakthrough program.  Your first three sessions, the Foundations program, typically run two weeks apart.  The Foundations program gets right to the core of what is sending you “off-the-rails” and what you can do it about.  In each of the first three sessions you will learn a new tool each session to help you get out of your head and get on with your life.  

Once you’ve finished the first three sessions, if you decide to stay on, then we will do five more sessions, the Breakthrough program, each one-month apart.  In these three to five sessions you’ll learn more tools, get a greater understanding as to what is driving your thinking, as well as the opportunity to talk about what worked with your tools, what didn’t work and how you can improve.  It’s a structured program where you’ll have training exercises to complete between monthly sessions.

Of course, the three plus five sessions are not compulsory, or sometimes, even necessary.  But, think of it just like you’re working with a PT on a weight training program.  You learn how to use the equipment, and then you follow the training program to get strong.

Here’s how the fee structure works…

Initial Consultation for Foundations program

Your initial consultation, which is 50 minutes, costs $277.

When you have a Mental Health Treatment Plan referral from your GP or psychiatrist, then you can claim a Medicare rebate of $89.65 for the initial consultation.

So your out of pocket cost for the initial consultation is $187.35

Follow Up Consultations for Foundations program and all of Breakthrough program 

After the initial consultation you’ll work through up another seven program consultations (two more consults in Foundations and five more in Breakthrough).  These are also 50 minutes each.  The cost of each program consultation is $227.

You will be able to claim a Medicare rebate of $89.65 for each program consultation.

Your out of pocket cost for each program consultation is $137.35

My Triple Guarantee

When you turn up to Bloke Therapy with your Mental Health Care Plan from your GP, then this is my offer to you…

I’ll test the “Big Three” of your mental health – Depression, Anxiety and Stress – and we’ll discuss it.

Then, I’ll test if the “Big Three” impact your ability to effectively function in four key life areas – including your personal well-being and your close relationships – and report back.

Then, we will identify what “nasty stories” your mind tells you.  I will explain what your test results mean in the context of your “nasty stories,” how your “nasty stories” drive poor mental health, and what it will take for you to live a happy, normal life.

At that first meeting I’ll show you how to use a simple tool to step away from the “nasty stories” your mind tells you.  That is the first of three tools in the Foundations three-session program.

Only then – if you decide the Foundations program is right for you, and importantly, if I am a right fit for you – you can pay me – knowing that there is no risk for those first three sessions, because you are covered by my Triple Guarantee.

The Right Fit Guarantee

If, for any reason, during the Foundations training program, you are not convinced that I am the right person to help you, then just let me know, and I will give you all your money back.

The Total Satisfaction Guarantee

If, for any reason, during the Foundations training program, you are not convinced that you are learning the tools to get out of your head and live a normal, happy life, then just let me know, and I will give you all your money back.

The Easy Exit Guarantee

If, for any reason, during the Foundations training program, you are not convinced that you have learned the tools to get out of your head and live a normal, happy life, then just let me know, and you can cancel the remaining sessions, and I will give you all your money back.

Private Health Insurance Rebates

Just so you know, you can’t use both Medicare and Private Health Insurance at the same time – for example, you can’t use your private health insurance to cover your co-payment on a Medicare service.

If you aren’t using Medicare then you might be able to use your private health insurance.  I am a Registered Psychologist and am registered with a number of private health insurers.  If your insurer covers you under ‘Extras Cover’, you may be entitled to a rebate.

The best thing is to call your insurer and ask BEFORE your initial consultation.  You also need to let me know in advance, as I may need to register with your insurer.  Once all this is done, I can then provide you with a receipt for you to claim your rebate directly from your insurer.