A Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) allows eligible clients to access up to 10 Medicare-rebated appointments per calendar year, from 1 January to 31 December.
On 1 January each year, the Medicare session count resets, and eligible clients may access up to 10 new Medicare-rebated appointments for that calendar year.
How Referrals Work
- A GP can refer a client for a maximum of 6 sessions at a time.
- After each block of sessions, the client must return to their GP for a review, consultation, or appointment.
- The GP must then provide a new referral letter to the psychologist requesting further sessions.
This GP appointment may be completed as:
- a Mental Health Treatment Plan Review — MBS item 2712;
- a Mental Health Consultation — MBS item 2713; or
- a general GP appointment.
A GP can only complete one MHTP review under item 2712 within a 3-month period. However, other consultations or general visits may still occur if clinically appropriate.
Does a Mental Health Treatment Plan Expire?
A Mental Health Treatment Plan does not automatically expire. However, a new plan may be created every 12 months if clinically appropriate.
A new MHTP is usually only created when the client’s presenting issues have changed. Medicare generally will not pay for a new MHTP within 3 months of a Mental Health Treatment Plan Review.
MHTP Steps in Detail
-
The MHTP is created.
The GP creates the Mental Health Treatment Plan and refers the client for an initial block of up to 6 appointments. The GP sends the referral letter and MHTP to the psychologist. -
The client attends their appointments.
The client attends the approved appointments with the psychologist. -
The psychologist updates the GP.
After the session block is completed, the psychologist writes an update letter to the GP and advises the client to book a GP appointment. -
The client returns to the GP.
The client attends a GP appointment for a review, consultation, or general visit to discuss their ongoing treatment needs. -
The GP requests further sessions.
If further treatment is required, the GP writes a new letter to the psychologist requesting another block of appointments, usually up to 6 sessions.
Steps 2 to 5 may repeat until treatment is completed or the client reaches their Medicare-rebated session limit for the calendar year.
Important Note
If a client has used all 10 Medicare-rebated or bulk-billed sessions for the calendar year but still has sessions remaining on their referral, they must wait until the next calendar year to use those remaining sessions.
Artemis Psychology reception will monitor session use and contact the client in the new year where appropriate.