Obtaining Medicare Rebates

At Holding Space Clinical Psychology Services, we are committed to making care accessible and transparent. If you would like to receive Medicare rebates for your sessions with Yvonne, you may choose to involve your GP or psychiatrist in your care.

How Medicare Rebates Work

Under the Australian Government’s Better Access initiative, Medicare benefits are available for people who have been assessed with a clinically diagnosable mental health condition and who have a referral from a GP, psychiatrist, or other eligible medical practitioner. This referral must be part of a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) or a psychiatrist’s Assessment and Management Plan.

Official Better Access overview:
https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/better-access-initiative?language=en

Medicare allows up to 10 rebated individual therapy sessions per calendar year (January 1 to December 31). With a valid referral, you can claim a rebate of $145.25 after each eligible session with Yvonne.

Better Access information:
https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/better-access-initiative

You can still begin therapy without a referral; however, you will need a valid referral in place to receive Medicare rebates.

What Makes a Referral Valid

To ensure that your Medicare rebate claims are accepted without delay, the referral letter you obtain during your GP or psychiatrist consultation must include:

• Your full name and date of birth
• Your current address
• A statement confirming that a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) or equivalent plan has been prepared
• A brief description of your presenting symptoms or diagnosis
• The number of sessions being requested
• The date, signature, provider number, and contact details of the referring doctor or psychiatrist

Official requirements for allied health referrals:
https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/allied-health-referrals-for-mental-health-treatment-services?context=20

A referral can be written on a formal letterhead or sent electronically with an electronic signature.

Because Holding Space does not have a full-time receptionist to follow up missing information, it is important that your referral is complete and clear at the time of your doctor appointment.

How Many Sessions Should Be Written on Your Referral?

A referral typically lists a number of sessions you are eligible to receive rebates for. Medicare permits a total of 10 rebated individual sessions per calendar year.

If your GP or psychiatrist refers you for more sessions than you have remaining this year, the referral must clearly indicate the allocation across calendar years. For example: “4 sessions for use in 2025 and 2 sessions for use in 2026.” This prevents rebate issues and avoids additional trips back to your doctor.

Official guidance on session allocations for Medicare referrals:
https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/allied-health-referrals-for-mental-health-treatment-services?context=20

Reporting and Ongoing Care

After the initial set of referred sessions (commonly after the first 6 sessions), and again at the completion of your referral period, Yvonne will provide a progress report to your referring GP or psychiatrist. This is a Medicare requirement.

Your doctor will then review your progress with you and determine whether to issue a new referral for additional sessions.

Under updated Medicare rules (from 1 November 2025), referrals must be prepared by:

• Your GP or prescribed medical practitioner as part of an MHTP
• Your usual doctor from your usual practice (or your MyMedicare registered practice)
• A psychiatrist providing ongoing care

Official documentation:
https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2025-10/better-access-redesign-from-1-november-2025_0.pdf

Tips for Your Appointment with Your Doctor

To save time and prevent delays in claiming your Medicare rebates, consider asking your doctor to check that:

• All required information is included
• The referral clearly states session numbers
• Calendar year allocations are written when needed
• You receive a copy of the referral (print or electronic)

This ensures your referral is valid and avoids the need to return to your GP for corrections.

Official referral requirements summary:
https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/allied-health-referrals-for-mental-health-treatment-services?context=20