EligibilityYou may be eligible for a MHTP is you are diagnosed with an eligible "mental disorder”. Eligibility information can be found on this fact sheet by Services Australia: Eligibility for mental health treatment services. Additionally, you can view the collection of Better Access fact sheets.Who writes the plan and referralMedicare stipulates that a MHTP must be prepared by your MyMedicare registered GP practice or your usual medical practitioner (being the GP or clinic that has provided the majority of your care over a 12-month period).Number of rebates claimableUnder a MHTP, there is funding for a maximum of 10 Medicare rebates per calendar year (1st January – 31st December). The total number of rebates claimable each calendar year is calculated per client, not per allied health professional. If you are seeing more than one allied health professional (clinical psychologist, registered psychologist, mental health social worker, social worker, occupational therapist), you cannot claim the maximum rebates with each clinician.  Referral 'course of treatment'Referrals under a MHTP are valid for the number of sessions written within them, which is also known as a 'course of treatment', with a maximum of 6 rebates per referral. Referring practitioners cannot override the maximum number of sessions per referral, and the recipient can only accept for the allowed maximum. If more sessions are required after the 6 have been completed, you must visit your referring doctor to discuss referral for the remaining sessions on a new referral letter. A re-referral is not the same as a review of your MHTP. You do not need a review of your MHTP at any point unless your mental health condition changes, or your doctor requests one.Once the maximum rebates have been claimed, clients can continue sessions with their psychologist, however, no further Medicare rebates can be claimed within the calendar year. Referrals from psychiatrists and paediatricians do not require a MHTP; however, the same Medicare limits apply regarding the number of sessions available per referral and the maximum number of rebated psychology sessions claimable per calendar year.A MHTP is not considered a referral. The MHTP is the 'key' that 'unlocks' your access to rebates under this initiative. A referral is required (usually in the form of a signed and dated letter) recommending a course of treatment. See more information in the next section. At the start of the next year, the rebate count 'resets' to zero, meaning that access to a new set of up to 10 sessions can commence again.

Medicare have strict guidelines regarding referrals and accessing rebates. There is a difference between a referral and a MHTP: GP Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) is a structured framework for GPs to undertake the management of patients with clinically diagnosed mental disorders. The MHTP is created at the start of treatment and allows the patient to access Medicare rebates for psychological services.Referral for psychology is a formal recommendation from a GP, psychiatrist, or paediatrician to a psychologist, enabling their patient to access Medicare-subsidised psychological services. Referral requirementsA valid referral must be in writing, signed and dated by the referring medical practitioner. The referral letter must be dated on or before the date of the therapy session to be eligible for rebate claim. Letters of referral or recommendation from other allied health professionals are not valid for Medicare claiming.  ​Referrals must include: Client details (name, date of birth, address) Diagnosis or symptoms Reference to a MHTP being in place List of medications Requested number of sessions (within the maximum service limit for the course of treatment) Referrer's signature and Medicare provider number A referral does not need to name a specific mental health professional. Clients have the right to choose their own therapist. If your doctor prefers to address the letter, it can simply state ‘Dear Psychologist’. Referrals do not expire by date. They are valid until the stated sessions are used. A review of the MHTP is not required to issue a new referral.There have been some changes to the Better Access initiative and referral requirements from 1st November 2025. Read more here.

You may be eligible for an EDP if you are diagnosed with an eligible eating disorder and satisfy Medicare requirements. Information about EDP and eligibility can be found within the Services Australia fact sheet collection here. Treating teamUnlike a MHTP, an EDP operates within a multidisciplinary model of care. This may include:   Coordinating GP, Psychiatrist, or Paediatrician (required)   Psychologist (such as your clinician at our practice)   Accredited Practicing Dietitian Other health professionals (e.g. paediatrician, psychiatrist, or medical specialist as needed)   It’s essential that your team members communicate regularly and work collaboratively toward your treatment goals.   Once the plan has been developed, clients client may be eligible to access rebates for:   Up to 40 psychological service rebates Up to 20 dietetic service rebates ​ These rebates are released in stages and are not automatically available. Ongoing access to Medicare rebates requires review and input with your treating medical practitioners. Further referrals will only be provided where ongoing treatment is clinically recommended and Medicare requirements are met.Plan validity and expiry: EDP are valid for 12 months from the commencement date of the plan. ​Allowable EDP rebates are calculated per 12-month period from commencement date of the EDP. Referral and review intervals: Referred sessions are released in stages, with reviews required along the way. The maximum number of sessions that can be referred for at a time is 10. Referring practitioners cannot override the maximum, and the recipient can only accept for the allowed maximum.  Some referral stages will require a review by multiple members of your care team. ​Sessions 1-10: your primary health professional (GP, Psychiatrist, or Paediatrician) prepares your EDP and referral. This initial referral allows you to access up to 10 psychology sessions. Sessions 11–20: once the first 10 sessions are used, you must return to your primary health professional (GP or Psychiatrist) for a progress review. If ongoing treatment is recommended, they can provide a new referral for up to another 10 sessions.   Sessions 21–30: accessing sessions beyond 20 requires a more detailed review. At this stage, two medical professionals must review your progress (usually your GP plus a Psychiatrist or Paediatrician). Both must agree that further treatment is needed before another referral is provided for sessions 21–30.   Sessions 31–40: for the remaining 10 sessions, you must return to your primary health professional (GP, Psychiatrist, or Paediatrician) for a progress review. If ongoing treatment is recommended, they can provide a new referral for up to another 10 sessions up to the maximum of 40 sessions.  Because these review processes can take time, we recommend arranging review appointments with your care team well in advance (before your current referral has been completed) so that you don’t experience gaps in care or difficulties claiming Medicare rebates.   At the end of the 12-month plan period, a new plan can be issued by the referring doctor if required. At that time, the session count 'resets' to zero, meaning that access to a new set of up to 40 psychological services can commence again.

Some health insurance policies cover psychology sessions. This depends on your policy and level of cover. It is your responsibility to check with your insurance company as to what rebate your health funds provides. You cannot access private health insurance rebates and Medicare rebates for the same appointment. The Glow Centre does not deal directly with private health insurance funds. We will provide you with a paid receipt after your appointment, which you can submit to your insurance provider.