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Psychologist fees

Counsellor fees

Cancellation policy

When you book an appointment, that time is made available for you. We respect that your time is valuable, and appreciate your understanding that ours is too. 

Unfortunately, late cancellations mean that there is no time to book in another client who is waiting for an appointment. If you need to cancel or postpone the appointment, please give at least 48 hours notice. 

  •  Notice of cancellation or postponement made between 48 hours and 24 hours will be charged for 50% of the full session. 
  • Notice of cancellation or postponement made with less that 24 hours will be charged 100% of the full session fee. 

Of course, emergencies do happen, and we will do our best to take exceptional circumstances into account. Communication as soon as possible in these situations is really helpful. 

Thank you in advance for your respect and understanding. 

 

Medicare and Mental Health Plans can be complicated. Please see the answers to most frequently asked questions about them below.

Frequently Asked Questions

A Mental Health Care Plan (Care Plan) from your GP allows you to access up to ten sessions with a registered psychologist in one calendar year (1 Jan – 31 Dec) with a rebate. This means that for each allowable appointment (50+ mins) you will get $96.65 back from Medicare (as at 1 July 2024). 

The actual cost of your appointment is likely to be more than the Medicare rebate (In 2024 the current recommended rate for a 50-minute appointment by both AAPi and APS is $315). You will need to pay the entire cost of the appointment to the psychologist at the time of the service. 

It is then your responsibility to submit your claim to Medicare for a rebate. The most popular way to submit a Medicare claim is through the Medicare app, and your rebate is paid directly to your nominated bank account. 

Getting a Care Plan from your GP

To be eligible for a Medicare rebate, you will need to have a referral and Care Plan from your treating GP. Sometimes the GP practice will send the referral and Care Plan directly to the psychologist. Sometimes you will be provided with a hard copy to take with you to the psychologist. Whichever the case, it is your responsibility to ensure that your psychologist has a copy of your referral and Care Plan at the time of your first appointment. 

When you get a Care Plan from your GP to see a psychologist make sure that the following information is included on the referral:

  • GP’s name and signature
  • GP’s provider number
  • Client’s postal address and contact details
  • Date the Care Plan was created
  • Eligible diagnoses
  • Number of appointments that the GP has referred for

Sessions under a new Care Plan are capped at a maximum of six appointments. 

Using your Care Plan

You can use the current Care Plan for any registered psychologist. For example, if you don’t end up seeing the psychologist that your GP put on the Care Plan, you can take the same plan to see a different psychologist. 

If you use your Care Plan with one psychologist and then start seeing a new psychologist, you must let the new psychologist know that you have already used some of your claimable appointments on your Care Plan. This ensures that you are claiming correctly. 

When you see your psychologist

Your psychologist needs to have a copy of your current Care Plan so that they can invoice you correctly and so that you can claim your rebate. Remember to let them know if you have already used some of your claimable appointments with another psychologist.

Once you have had six (or the number referred by your GP) appointments with your psychologist, they will need to update your GP on your work together in writing. In many cases your psychologist will recommend that you access a further four appointments under your Care Plan (maximum allowed on a Care Plan).

You are required to see your GP for a review of your Care Plan. You will need to have the review before your next appointment with your psychologist to be able to make a further claim. Your psychologist needs to have a copy of your GP’s review to be able to invoice correctly and allow you to claim with Medicare.

At the end of the tenth appointment using your Care Plan your psychologist will write to your GP again advising that you have accessed all your sessions on your Care Plan.

Depending on what your GP decides you may have access to a maximum of claimable appointments per calendar year (1 Jan – 31 Dec). If for example you have only had eight appointments in 2023 (and your GP has allowed for ten appointments), then you can continue to use the remaining two appointments in 2024. At that time, if you need a new Care Plan you can see your GP. However, if you have used two appointments already in 2023, you will only be able to claim another eight appointments in 2023 on your new Care Plan – bringing you to a maximum of ten.

If you are at all confused about how this works, speak to your psychologist. It can get quite complicated sometimes!

No, you do not have to have a Care Plan to see a psychologist. You may choose to see a GP, who will assess suitability for a Care Plan. If you do have a Care Plan you will be able to claim a rebate through Medicare. You will also have the support of your GP.

No. You can only claim your appointments with Medicare or with your private health fund. You can not “double dip”

Yes. Telehealth provides flexibility in accessing your psychologist appointment. As long as you have a good internet connection and a private place to be during your appointment, then telehealth is an excellent option when you can’t be face-to-face.

No. You can use the same referral for any registered psychologist in Australia. You do need to let your psychologist know if you have used any of your appointments provided in the referral with another psychologist. This is to ensure that you are billed correctly.

No. While a Care Plan does not expire, it may be best to go back to your GP for a review if it has been a long time since you got the Care Plan, or if there are new concerns. For example, Sarah was given a Care Plan from her GP in January 2022, and she saw her psychologist for four appointments in January and February that year. In November 2023 she decided to see her psychologist for some new issues. Although the Care Plan is still valid, it would be helpful to update her GP, and allow the GP to provide up to date information to her psychologist.

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ANNA MILLS

B.Psych, M.Psych (Counselling), MAAPi
Counselling Psychologist

18/210 Queen Victoria Street
Fremantle WA 6159

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