Request a Mental Health Care Plan at no cost to you.

Our Australian-registered doctors are here to discuss your options for mental health treatment and refer you to a specialist or psychologist if needed. This is a bulk bill service for Medicare card holders. 

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If you’re in crisis or feeling unsafe, please call 000 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.

WHAT IS A MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT PLAN?

Your first step to accessing mental health treatment

Mental health treatment plans are for people with a mental illness who are under the care of multiple healthcare professionals. Your doctor will work with you to map out a treatment plan that explains what services you need, and when, as well as your goals for each service and any additional treatment options suitable for you.  Additionally, your plan may include strategies for managing crisis situations or preventing relapses.

There may also be instances where your doctor contributes to a care plan arranged by someone else – for example, when you are returning home from spending time in hospital.  

WHY DO YOU NEED ONE?

Providing ongoing care and support

Delivering continuous care to an individual living with a mental health condition often involves various supports. These may include General Practitioners (GPs), psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers or other care providers.

They all play a role in your healthcare team, working together to ensure you receive the highest quality of care. You also play an important role in this team and should be actively involved in the development of your Mental Health Treatment plan (MHTP).

Everyone’s needs are different, so your personalised treatment plan puts down in writing the support you can expect and ensures that everyone on your team is clear about their responsibilities. With a valid plan, along with a valid Medicare card, you can receive Medicare rebates for up to 10 sessions with eligible mental health professionals - reducing the cost of treatment.  

HOW IT WORKS

A simple 5-step process

STEP 1

Book a video consultation with a Doctor

You can schedule an appointment to speak with a Doctor about a Mental Health Care Treatment Plan. Your consultation will proceed over video so make sure you’ve got a suitable device with video and audio capabilities, as well as a minimum 3G internet connection. 

STEP 2

Answer a few quick questions

You’ll need to read over a list of statements and pick an option which indicates how much the statement applied to you over the past week i.e. ‘not at all’ though to ‘all the time’. You don’t need to spend too much time on each question, there are no right or wrong answers.

STEP 3

Chat with your Doctor about a plan

Your doctor will assess and, if they deem it appropriate, work with you to set goals, and develop a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP). There is a possibility that a MHTP is not created, it is not a guaranteed outcome. Your doctor may consider other treatment options as more appropriate for you.

STEP 4

Get referred

Your doctor may provide a referral to a psychologist, psychiatrist or other mental health professional. Initially, a Mental Health Treatment Plan will be for 6 sessions. The mental healthcare provider you attend for your treatment is up to you. You may have a preferred provider in mind. You also have the option of choosing our online psychology partner. It’s your choice.

STEP 5

Come back for review

It is important that your care plan is reviewed regularly. Once you have completed your first 6 sessions with a mental health professional, you will need to come back for review with our doctors. If appropriate, your doctor will then refer you for another 4 sessions (out of a total of 10 allowed per calendar year on a plan).

Find a time that suits you to talk about a Mental Health Treatment Plan.

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PRICING

How much do appointments cost?

Bulk Billed Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) Assessment or Review

A Medicare card is required to access this service at no cost.

$0

Private Fee Mental Health Consultation

If you don’t have a Medicare card, you will not be eligible for a bulk billed assessment or a Medicare subsidised Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP). A private fee per appointment will apply to speak with a mental health trained Doctor about any other mental health concerns.

$100.20*

*Plus $2.95 booking fee. Visit the pricing page for more information. Please note, there may be additional out-of-pocket costs for things associated with your appointment, like medication or treatments with any specialists or mental health professionals to which you are referred.

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ABOUT US

Meet your Doctors

Dr Magdalene Dubert

MBChB, FRACGP

Dr Dubert qualified in 2003 in South Africa relocating to Australia in 2008. She worked in several Emergency Departments across the country before joining General Practice in 2015. She enjoys all aspects of General Practice.

Dr Sharon Gupta

MBBS, FRACGP, Diploma of Child Health

Dr Sharon Gupta is an Australian trained GP with over a decade of experience in General Practice with further training in Paediatrics. She has a special interest in: chronic disease & preventative health, sexual health & women’s health, mental health & Paediatrics. She is fluent in English, Hindi & Punjabi. She is committed to empowering her patients to make the best decisions about their health and wellbeing!

Dr Thanh Hong Cecilia Le

RACGP

Dr Cecilia is an Australian trained GP who has lived in Tasmania, Bendigo, and now settled in Victoria long term. She is an avid traveller who enjoys women's health consultations including contraception advice, fertility planning. Preventative health care, and reasonable use of medications in the modern life are also her principal areas of focus. She is able to communicate in English, Vietnamese and one day hopes to master German, as well.

Dr Sandarenu Gunaratne

RACGP, DCH

Dr Sandarenu Lakmini Gunaratne is a Fellow of Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and has been practicing General Practice in NSW for more than 10 years. She has a wealth of knowledge and experience in managing a vast array of conditions from minor ailments, chronic conditions and preventative care.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Everything you need to know

Who is eligible for a Mental Health Treatment Plan?

A qualified healthcare provider, such as a GP, must assess your eligibility for a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP). This assessment includes evaluating your mental health condition, treatment needs, and goals. You will need a valid Medicare card to be assessed for a MHTP, and to receive a MHTP that is eligible for rebates. 

If you don’t have a Medicare card, you will not be eligible for a bulk billed assessment or a Medicare subsidised MHTP.  

If you are eligible for Medicare but do not have a Medicare card, you can apply for one through the Department of Human Services. Eligibility criteria for Medicare include being an Australian citizen, a permanent resident, or a New Zealand citizen living in Australia. Once you have a Medicare card, you can proceed with requesting a MHTP. 

While a Medicare card is typically the primary means of accessing government-funded mental health services in Australia, it’s important to consider other avenues to receive the support and care you may need. 

You can book a private fee appointment and speak with one of our mental health trained Doctors about your mental health concerns at any time. They can still consult with you about a general plan for your safety and wellbeing, that doesn’t include rebated sessions. 

If ongoing costs are an issue, they may be able to guide you on low-cost or free mental health services provided by community organisations, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), or public mental health clinics. 

If you’re in crisis or feeling unsafe, please call 000 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.

What does Medicare cover for mental health?

A mental health treatment plan lets you claim up to 10 individual and 10 group sessions with a mental health professional each calendar year.

To start with, your doctor will refer you for up to 6 sessions at a time. If you need more, they can refer you for further sessions at your follow up appointment.

Health professionals set their own fees, so Medicare may only cover some of the cost. When you make your appointment, remember to ask how much you’ll pay and how much of the cost Medicare will cover.

If you have private health insurance, you may be able to make a claim for the cost of your appointment. Check with your insurer.

You can book an assessment for a Mental Health Treatment Plan online. This is a bulk bill service for Medicare card holders.

Will I get a referral as part of my mental health appointment?

If necessary, your Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) plan can include referrals to mental health specialists or allied health professionals, ensuring you receive comprehensive care. This may include access to psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, or occupational therapists.

For more info on some of these specialties, check out our article ‘Psychologist, Psychiatrist or Counsellor – What’s the difference?’.

You can book an assessment for a Mental Health Treatment Plan online. This is a bulk bill service for Medicare card holders.

Will I receive a prescription as part of my mental health appointment?

If your doctor believes medication should form part of your treatment plan, they may prescribe medication. Alternatively, they may provide a referral to a psychiatrist, and the psychiatrist may prescribe medication.

Your doctor/s may suggest multiple options for your treatment; however, medication does not always form part of a mental health treatment plan.

You can book an assessment for a Mental Health Treatment Plan online. This is a bulk bill service for Medicare card holders.

How much do psychology appointments cost, after I get my mental health treatment plan?

Providers will set their own fees, so it’s best to check directly with them on what you will pay to access their services. This includes what you may pay upfront, and what you will get back from Medicare, so you can calculate your out-of-pocket expenses. 

As a guide, here is a pricing table from our online psychology partner, Recharge Wellness.  

*Doctors on Demand has partnered with online psychology providers and may receive sponsorship fees. 

What if I don’t get a Mental Health Treatment Plan after my consultation?

A rebated Mental Health Treatment Plan can only be issued to patients with a valid Medicare card at the discretion of the treating Doctor. If you are not issued a plan, the Doctor will give you their reasons for not doing so and suggest alternatives for your care. 

If you believe this is not the best outcome for your care, ensure you have a conversation with your doctor about why you believe a rebated Mental Health Treatment Plan would meet your needs. 

If you don’t have a valid Medicare card, the Doctor can still consult with you about a plan for your mental health, that doesn’t include rebated sessions. You can see the pricing for our private services on our mental health page and, as a guide for private psychology fees, you can also check out the pricing table from our online psychology partner, Recharge Wellness.* 

If ongoing costs are an issue, your Doctor may be able to guide you on low-cost or free mental health services provided by community organisations, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), or public mental health clinics. 

If you’re in crisis or feeling unsafe, please call 000 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.

*Doctors on Demand has partnered with online psychology providers and may receive sponsorship fees. 

Still have questions? Get in touch or visit our frequently asked questions.

WHAT NEXT?

Find a mental health professional

The Doctor could provide a referral to a psychologist, psychiatrist or other mental health professional. You can choose who you are referred to, but you will have the option of choosing our online partner, Recharge Wellness. Use their matching tool to find a psychologist that’s a fit for you. With no wait times, you can speak to them within 24 hours. Plus, if you don't feel a connection with the person you’ve chosen, you can select someone different next time. Make sure you check with your provider about any out-of-pocket fees associated with their services, if any, after the Medicare rebate has been applied. As a guide, check out our FAQ on how much psychology appointments cost after you get your mental health treatment plan.

Doctors on Demand has partnered with online psychology providers and may receive sponsorship fees.