medicare & health fund rebates

AM I ELIGIBLE FOR A MEDICARE OR PRIVATE HEALTH FUND REBATE FOR MY COUNSELLING SESSION?

YES

You are if you have Private Health Insurance (e.g. MBF, Medibank Private) – check with your fund to find out what your entitlements are for psychology services.  Each psychologist has a provider number with all of the major health funds to enable clients, if eligible, to access rebates for their counselling session.  Rebates may vary from fund to fund.  It is best to check with your fund to see what you are eligible for.   

YES

You can receive a Medicare rebate if your GP/Psychiatrist has provided you with a “Mental Health Treatment Plan” and a referral to see a psychologist prior to your first counselling session.  Under the government approved Better Access initiative, eligible clients are entitiled to a rebate through Medicare for a maximum of 10 counselling sessions for psychological treatment per calendar year.  The rebate you will receive through Medicare for each counselling session is about half of the fee.