Mental Health Occupational Therapy under Medicare
Mental Health Occupational Therapy under Medicare
Occupational therapists are recognised mental health treatment providers under Medicare’s Better Access initiative.
Our eligible mental health occupational therapists provide Focussed Psychological Strategies for people whose mental health is affecting their everyday life, including work, relationships, self-care, routines, parenting and participation in meaningful activities.
Appointments are available in Melbourne and Brisbane, and by telehealth across Australia.
Can I see an occupational therapist under a Mental Health Treatment Plan?
Yes.
Eligible occupational therapists can provide mental health treatment under Medicare’s Better Access initiative.
A GP or prescribed medical practitioner can refer you for treatment while managing your care under a Mental Health Treatment Plan. Referrals can also be made through a psychiatrist assessment and management plan or directly by a psychiatrist or paediatrician.
What does a mental health occupational therapist provide?
Our mental health occupational therapists provide psychological treatment while considering how your mental health is affecting your ability to manage and participate in everyday life.
Treatment may address:
- anxiety and avoidance
- depression, motivation and reduced activity
- trauma related symptoms
- emotional regulation
- behavioural patterns
- routines and daily functioning
- work or study
- relationships and family roles
- self-care
- planning, organisation and task completion
- returning to activities that have become difficult.
Treatment is individualised according to your mental health, circumstances and goals.
Learn more about Adult Mental Health Occupational Therapy
What are Focussed Psychological Strategies?
Focussed Psychological Strategies are recognised psychological treatment approaches that eligible health professionals can provide under Better Access.
Depending on the clinician’s training and your individual treatment needs, these can include psychological education, cognitive and behavioural strategies, relaxation strategies, skills training, interpersonal therapy and EMDR.
Our occupational therapists use appropriate psychological strategies within an occupational therapy framework, connecting treatment with how you function and participate in everyday life.
How many Medicare sessions can I access?
Eligible patients can access Medicare benefits for up to 10 individual mental health treatment services in a calendar year.
Your first referral can be for a course of up to six individual treatment services.
If further treatment is appropriate, your referring practitioner can provide another referral for a subsequent course, up to the Medicare annual limit.
Your occupational therapist will communicate with your referring practitioner following each course of treatment.
Do I need a referral?
Yes, if you want to claim a Medicare benefit for treatment under Better Access.
Your referring practitioner provides a written referral for your course of treatment.
There is no special Medicare referral form that your GP must use. The referral can be provided as a signed and dated referral letter containing the required information.
If you already have a Mental Health Treatment Plan, you generally do not need a new plan simply because you are changing mental health practitioners. Your GP can determine the appropriate referral arrangements for your circumstances.
Can Medicare mental health OT be provided by telehealth?
Yes.
Individual Better Access mental health treatment services can be provided by telehealth when this is safe and clinically appropriate.
Our Therapies provides mental health occupational therapy by telehealth across Australia.
This can provide access to an experienced mental health clinician without regular travel and is particularly useful for people living in regional, rural or remote areas, or where suitable local services are limited.
Learn about Mental Health OT via Telehealth
What will Medicare cover?
Medicare pays a set benefit towards eligible Better Access treatment services.
Our Therapies is a private service and a gap payment may apply.
A 50 minute session costs $230. We will tell you the applicable Medicare rebate and gap payment before you commence treatment.
Can my GP refer specifically to an occupational therapist?
Yes.
Eligible occupational therapists are recognised Better Access mental health treatment providers.
If your GP or psychiatrist would like further information about when mental health occupational therapy may be appropriate, we have developed specific information for health professionals.
Information for GPs and Psychiatrists
Start a referral
If you have a Mental Health Treatment Plan or would like to ask whether our Medicare mental health service is appropriate for you, contact Our Therapies.
You can also ask your GP, psychiatrist or paediatrician to refer you to Our Therapies.
