Better Access to Mental Health Care Initiative (Medicare/ patient co funded services)
The Better Outcomes in Mental Health Program is now complemented by a second primary health care initiative Better Access program. This program includes the addition of a set of item numbers to the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) that makes the services of registered psychologists (and selected social workers and occupational therapists) eligible for a rebate. Under these new item numbers, a referral can be made  for 12 individual sessions per calender year, delivered in two groups of six with a review by the referrer after the first six. Clinicians can then directly bill the consumer who can obtain a rebate from Medicare Australia. Some clinicians bulk bill and others require a co payment from the consumer. The basis and method of payment is a matter between the clinician and the consumer.

The Better Access Initiative encourages all GPs to work more closely and collaboratively with psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, psychologists, occupational therapists and social workers to achieve a common purpose – improved patient outcomes in the area of mental health.

The GP-psychiatry support component of Better Outcomes has also been retained and expanded under the Better Access Initiative, leading to expectations that more private psychiatrists will be encouraged to see more new patients. The links and referral pathways between psychiatrists and paediatricians to clinical psychologists, psychologists, occupational therapist and social workers have been strengthened under Better Access, leading to improved continuity of care for people experiencing mental disorders.

All GPs (VR and non VR), consultant psychiatrists and consultant  paediatricians can refer their patients under the Better Access program to allied mental health professionals (clinical psychologists, generalist psychologists, social workers, occupational therapists) and GP providers of Focussed Psychological Strategies (FPS) for psychological treatments. These professionals must be registered with Medicare Australia via their peak bodies to enable Medicare rebates for providing these services on appropriate referral.

All consultations conducted as part of the GP Mental Health Treatment items must be rendered by the GP and include a personal attendance with the patient.
A specialist mental health nurse, other allied health practitioner or Aboriginal Health Worker with appropriate mental health qualifications and training may provide general assistance to GPs in provision of mental health care.

A GP should generally only provide GP Mental Health Treatment items where they reasonably expect that they will be the patient’s ‘usual GP’ and have an ongoing role in the management of the patient and their mental health.

Chronic Disease Management (CDM) items will continue to be available for patients with chronic medical conditions, including patients needing multidisciplinary care. If the patient has a mental health problem only, a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan is preferable. Where a patient has a mental disorder as well as significant co-morbidities and complex needs requiring team-based care, the GP is able to use both the CDM items and the GP mental health treatment items.

This information is taken from material prepared by GPpartners, Queensland.