To access psychology services under Medicare, you need to have a referral from your GP, a psychiatrist or a paediatrician.
People who are eligible for a mental health care plan can receive up to 10 individual or group therapy sessions covered under Medicare in one calendar year (12 months from 1 January to 31 December).
However, referrals do not cover all 10 sessions. With a mental health care plan from your GP, you are entitled to a maximum of 6 Medicare rebatable sessions.
If you complete these six sessions within the calendar year and need to continue treatment with your psychologist, you will need to visit your GP for a mental health plan review.
Your GP will determine whether further sessions are needed and if so they will provide another referral for the remaining four sessions.