Frequently Asked Questions

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 may 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.

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Still need a Mental Health Treatment Plan? You can book an assessment online. Rebates apply for Medicare card holders.

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. 

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.

You can book a Mental Health Care Plan Assessment for $120 and speak with one of our mental health trained Doctors about your mental health concerns at any time. See the pricing table on our mental health page.

There may be additional costs for things associated with your appointment, like medication, or treatments with any specialists or mental health professionals to which you are referred.

Please check with your insurer if you can claim back the cost of the Mental Health Care Plan Assessment.

If you get referred for a plan, you go on to access other mental health services, the mental health professional will set their own fees. Ask your provider how much Medicare will cover and check with your insurer about claiming back out-of-pocket expenses.

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. Rebates apply for Medicare card holders.

You may be able to participate in 2 sessions per calendar year as part of the Mental Health Treatment Plan of the person you care for. Visit the Services Australia website for the most up to date information.  

A Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) covers a range of mental health services and treatments for individuals with diagnosed mental health conditions. This could include things like psychology, psychiatry, counselling, group therapy or individual therapy, support groups, self-help strategies, lifestyle changes or medication.

See our separate FAQ on ‘How long does a Mental Health Treatment Plan last?’.

You can book an assessment for a Mental Health Treatment Plan online.

A Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) is a written document outlining a person’s mental health treatment and care needs, helping achieve goals set between the patient and the doctor to improve their mental health condition. It includes the patient’s personal information, diagnosis, goals, and treatment approach. It should also show how many sessions you are covered for, any provider information in the case of referrals, and the date for your next review. You will be provided with a copy of your own records, and copies will be sent to any healthcare professionals involved in your care. 

You can book an assessment for a Mental Health Treatment Plan online.

One of the primary reasons for obtaining a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) is to access Medicare benefits for psychology sessions. With a valid plan, you can receive Medicare rebates for up to 10 sessions with eligible mental health professionals, reducing the cost of treatment. You will need a valid Medicare card to receive a MHTP that is eligible for Medicare rebates.

A MHTP isn’t just a piece of paper – it’s an actual plan for your mental health treatment, helping you work toward improved wellbeing and recovery. If you are seeing multiple healthcare providers for your mental health, the plan helps coordinate care among them. This ensures that all professionals involved are working together to provide you with the most effective support.

You can book an assessment for a Mental Health Treatment Plan online.

There are a few parts to this:

The plan itself

Many patients will not require a new GP Mental Health Treatment Plan after their initial plan has been prepared.

You may receive a new plan if your doctor believes it is clinically required.

Your allowance of Medicare rebated mental health sessions

Separately, the sessions that you receive under your Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) are valid until the referred number of sessions have been completed, rather than a specified time period.

Eligible people can receive up to 10 sessions in a calendar year (1 January to 31 December).

During your treatment, your healthcare provider will conduct regular reviews to assess your progress and adjust your treatment plan if needed. These reviews help ensure that you are receiving the most appropriate care.

Your MHTP is initially for a maximum of six sessions. Your referring doctor will assess your progress after the first six sessions and determine whether further sessions are needed, then potentially refer you for a further four sessions to complete your allowance of ten sessions.

After reaching the maximum of 10 allowable sessions for the calendar year, you will not be eligible for further Medicare rebates for treatment until the new calendar year. However, any unused sessions can be used in the next calendar year.

For example:

You had a consult with a GP for your mental health, were issued a MHTP, and have been referred to a mental health professional.

You completed your first 6 sessions with that mental health professional and received a Medicare rebate for these sessions.

After going back to your GP for a review, they believed it was in your best interest to refer you for another 4 sessions with your mental health professional. You’ve completed 3 of those appointments and received Medicare rebates.

At this point, you’ve used 9 out of 10 sessions on your plan by 31 Dec, which leaves you with 1 session left to be rebated for the year.

The number of sessions allowed resets on 1 Jan,

So, you can still use the last session on your referral on 1 Jan. If your doctor considers that further psychology sessions are needed, the number of available Medicare rebated sessions is now 9 (for a total 10 for the calendar year).

You can book an assessment for a Mental Health Treatment Plan online.

Book an appointment with one of our mental health trained Doctors by clicking ‘Get Started’ (and select ‘Mental Health’ from the list if necessary) or find a local clinic near you to discuss your concerns in person. During your consultation, the Doctor will assess your mental health by discussing your symptoms, medical history, and any challenges you are facing. If the Doctor believes that a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) would assist you, they will work with you to create a MHTP for your treatment needs. It will outline your diagnosis, treatment goals, recommended interventions, and the number of sessions you are eligible for under Medicare.

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 receive a MHTP that is eligible for rebates. 

If you don’t have a Medicare card, you will not be eligible for 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.

There is no specific limit on the number of Mental Health Care Plans you can receive, but your initial plan should continue over some time. If your doctor believes it is clinically required, like when a significant change occurs, they can work with you on a new plan. 

However, this is different to how often you can get Medicare rebated sessions under your Mental Health Treatment Plan; that number resets every calendar year, allowing you to claim for up to 10 sessions with eligible mental health professionals within each calendar year (1 January to 31 December). 

See our separate FAQ on ‘How long does a mental health treatment plan last?.’  

You can book an assessment for a Mental Health Treatment Plan online.