Psychiatrists covered by private health insurance

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Many people in Australia require mental health services. According to the Australian government, one out of every five Australian citizens will experience a mental health problem at some time during his or her life.

Getting treatment for mental health issues is just as important as seeking services for illness or injury. And, as with physical health coverage, you have a number of options when it comes to receiving treatment for behavioural health.

Medicare options

Thanks to the Better Access to Mental Health Care Initiative, the Australian Government offers financial assistance to many people living with mental health problems, reports the Australian Psychological Society.

Under this agreement, you can seek compensation for everything from anxiety disorders, depression, drug or alcohol use disorders, sleep problems, PTSD, OCD, eating disorders and many more.

To receive a rebate, your GP, psychiatrist or paediatrician must have you fill out a mental health assessment and prepare a Mental Health Treatment Plan, then refer you to a psychologist. Under Medicare, you can only see psychologists with a Medicare Provider Number.

There are some limitations under the Medicare option. You can receive up to 10 individual sessions per calendar year as well as up to 10 group therapy sessions. Beyond this, you may be required to pay out of pocket.

Private health option

There are a number of reasons why individuals may choose to use private health funds to help cover the costs of mental health treatment. Some people may be international students or visitors who are unable to take part in medicare.

Others may be in need of treatment that extends beyond what is covered by Medicare. A private health fund’s ancillary cover can help pay for some of the cost of your mental health treatment, but it’s important that you decide whether you plan to use your private health insurance for this purpose before you seek treatment.