Fees For Services
PLEASE NOTE MELISSA IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING NEW MENTAL HEALTH CARE REFERRALS.
MENTAL HEALTH CARE PLAN REFERRALS FROM PAST OR EXISTING CLIENTS OR THOSE WHO ARE EXPERIENCING DIFFICULTIES WITH REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH WILL BE ACCEPTED.
Do I need a referral?
Clients can be self-referred or referred by a GP/Medical Practitioner or a Lawyer. If attending without a referral that simply means you will will be required to pay your fees in full at the time of the consultation and you will not be able to claim a Medicare rebate for the service.
Medicare Consultations
For those clients who have been referred by their GP under a Mental Health Care Plan, Medicare rebates are available. At present, the rebate from Medicare is set at $124.50 for a 50 minute session.
It is highly recommended that you check the Medicare website for any changes to the rebate system.
How does the Medicare system work?
On November 1st 2006, Medicare introduced a new item for the provision of psychological services by a registered psychologist for people referred by a GP with a diagnosed mental health issue. To claim a Medicare rebate, you must be referred by a GP.
Under the Medicare system a client is initially allowed up to six sessions. After a review by your GP, if considered appropriate, you may be eligible for up to another four sessions. Without the review amy claim made to Medicare will not be processed.
A maximum of 10 sessions can be claimed through Medicare in a calendar year.
What is a diagnosed mental health issue?
Mental health issues impact on an individual's thoughts, feelings and behaviours. Examples of some of the diagnoses covered under Medicare include: Depression, Anxiety, Panic Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Phobic Disorders, Eating Disorders, Sleep Problems and Bereavement Disorders. Further information about the Medicare system and the full list of diagnoses can be found on the website of the Australian Psychological Society.
Can I see any psychologist and claim the Medicare rebate?
To claim a Medicare rebate, the psychologist you see must be registered with the Psychology Board of Australia. The rebate amount you can claim will vary depending on whether or not the psychologist you see is registered as a Generalist or endorsed as a Clinical Psychologist.
When do I pay and how do I claim the rebate?
Full fees are due on the day of your appointment. Through the HICAPS system your rebate can be claimed immediately if you have a cheque or savings account.
Private Consultations
Some private health insurance funds provide cover and rebates for psychological services. As private insurers vary in the amount they rebate it is recommended that you contact your private health insurer to determine the rebate you would receive.
Please note that you are not able to use your private health insurance to cover any gap between a Medicare rebate and the consultation fee. Therefore, if you have private health insurance, you will need to decide whether you will claim a rebate through Medicare OR your private health insurer.
Cancellation of Appointments
A minimum of 24 hours notice is required. We appreciate that sometimes people are unable to attend at late notice but reserve the right to invoice the full fee for the session. A rebate cannot be claimed for failure to attend an appointment.
Payment of Fees
Payments can be made by cash, eftpos or credit card. Payments are due in full on the day of service.
Letters and Reports
Requests for letters and reports by clients for legal or other purposes will incur a fee based on the recommended Australian Psychological Society rate.
This Page Updated: December 21st 2018
MENTAL HEALTH CARE PLAN REFERRALS FROM PAST OR EXISTING CLIENTS OR THOSE WHO ARE EXPERIENCING DIFFICULTIES WITH REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH WILL BE ACCEPTED.
Do I need a referral?
Clients can be self-referred or referred by a GP/Medical Practitioner or a Lawyer. If attending without a referral that simply means you will will be required to pay your fees in full at the time of the consultation and you will not be able to claim a Medicare rebate for the service.
Medicare Consultations
For those clients who have been referred by their GP under a Mental Health Care Plan, Medicare rebates are available. At present, the rebate from Medicare is set at $124.50 for a 50 minute session.
It is highly recommended that you check the Medicare website for any changes to the rebate system.
How does the Medicare system work?
On November 1st 2006, Medicare introduced a new item for the provision of psychological services by a registered psychologist for people referred by a GP with a diagnosed mental health issue. To claim a Medicare rebate, you must be referred by a GP.
Under the Medicare system a client is initially allowed up to six sessions. After a review by your GP, if considered appropriate, you may be eligible for up to another four sessions. Without the review amy claim made to Medicare will not be processed.
A maximum of 10 sessions can be claimed through Medicare in a calendar year.
What is a diagnosed mental health issue?
Mental health issues impact on an individual's thoughts, feelings and behaviours. Examples of some of the diagnoses covered under Medicare include: Depression, Anxiety, Panic Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Phobic Disorders, Eating Disorders, Sleep Problems and Bereavement Disorders. Further information about the Medicare system and the full list of diagnoses can be found on the website of the Australian Psychological Society.
Can I see any psychologist and claim the Medicare rebate?
To claim a Medicare rebate, the psychologist you see must be registered with the Psychology Board of Australia. The rebate amount you can claim will vary depending on whether or not the psychologist you see is registered as a Generalist or endorsed as a Clinical Psychologist.
When do I pay and how do I claim the rebate?
Full fees are due on the day of your appointment. Through the HICAPS system your rebate can be claimed immediately if you have a cheque or savings account.
Private Consultations
Some private health insurance funds provide cover and rebates for psychological services. As private insurers vary in the amount they rebate it is recommended that you contact your private health insurer to determine the rebate you would receive.
Please note that you are not able to use your private health insurance to cover any gap between a Medicare rebate and the consultation fee. Therefore, if you have private health insurance, you will need to decide whether you will claim a rebate through Medicare OR your private health insurer.
Cancellation of Appointments
A minimum of 24 hours notice is required. We appreciate that sometimes people are unable to attend at late notice but reserve the right to invoice the full fee for the session. A rebate cannot be claimed for failure to attend an appointment.
Payment of Fees
Payments can be made by cash, eftpos or credit card. Payments are due in full on the day of service.
Letters and Reports
Requests for letters and reports by clients for legal or other purposes will incur a fee based on the recommended Australian Psychological Society rate.
This Page Updated: December 21st 2018
