Mental health care plan: how to get one and what it covers

One in five Australians experiences a mental health condition each year, and general practice is where most people first ask for help. A GP mental health treatment plan is the doorway to Medicare-funded psychological therapy, and the appointment to set it up is bulk billed at Toongabbie Doctors. Knowing what to expect can make the first step easier.

What a mental health treatment plan is

A GP mental health treatment plan is a structured document your GP prepares with you. It records what you are experiencing, your history, the goals you want to work towards and the support you will use. Once it is in place, Medicare provides rebates for sessions with a registered psychologist, clinical psychologist, mental health social worker or occupational therapist.

Who can have one

Anyone with a Medicare card who is experiencing a mental health condition can have a plan, including anxiety, depression, adjustment to a stressful life event, panic, post-traumatic stress, eating disorders, grief that is not resolving, and many others. You do not need to have a formal diagnosis before you book; that is part of what the appointment is for.

What happens at the appointment

Your GP will ask about how you have been feeling, sleeping and coping, what has been happening in your life, your physical health and any medicines, and any previous mental health care. You may be asked to complete a short questionnaire such as the K10 or DASS. Together you set goals, for example sleeping through the night, returning to work or managing panic attacks, and agree the next steps. Those may include therapy, lifestyle changes, medication, or a combination.

How many sessions are covered

The plan provides Medicare rebates for up to ten individual therapy sessions per calendar year, provided in blocks of six then four, with a review by your GP in between. Group sessions are also available. Your GP will help you find a psychologist, and our counsellor and psychotherapist Francesca Palazzolo consults at the clinic on Fridays.

Costs

The GP appointments are bulk billed. Psychology sessions are billed by the provider with a Medicare rebate applied; some psychologists bulk bill, others charge a gap. Ask about fees when you book. Francesca's sessions are billed privately, with rebates for eligible referrals.

If you need help sooner

If you are in crisis or thinking about harming yourself, do not wait for an appointment. Call Lifeline on 13 11 14, the Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511, or 000 in an emergency. Our reception team will always prioritise a same-day appointment for a patient in distress.

Choosing a psychologist

Your GP can refer you to any registered psychologist, and the choice matters. Consider whether you prefer face-to-face or telehealth sessions, the therapist's experience with your particular concern, their fees and gap, waiting times, and practical things like location and evening availability. Many psychologists in Western Sydney offer telehealth, which widens the choice considerably. If the first therapist is not the right fit, it is fine to change; your GP can update the referral.

Types of therapy you may be offered

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) helps you notice and change unhelpful patterns of thinking and behaviour and has strong evidence for anxiety and depression. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) focuses on living according to your values while making room for difficult feelings. Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) is used for trauma. Interpersonal therapy focuses on relationships. Our counsellor Francesca Palazzolo is trained in CBT, ACT and EMDR. Your therapist will recommend an approach and adjust it as you go.

Medication: when it is part of the plan

Therapy is the first-line treatment for mild to moderate anxiety and depression. For moderate to severe symptoms, or when therapy alone has not been enough, your GP may discuss medication such as an SSRI antidepressant. These medicines are safe when monitored, take a few weeks to work and are usually continued for at least six to twelve months. Your GP will review you regularly and telehealth is convenient for those check-ins.

Supporting a family member

If you are worried about a partner, parent or teenager, you can book an appointment yourself to talk it through, and you can attend with them if they agree. Young people aged 14 and over can usually see a GP and have a plan in their own right. Carers can also access support through Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737.

Taking the first step in Toongabbie

Book a long appointment with any of our GPs through HotDoc, or call (02) 7813 6000. Telehealth is available for follow-up and reviews once your plan is in place.