Online Therapy & Medicare Rebates
What is Online Therapy (Telehealth)?
Online therapy (telehealth) allows psychological support to be delivered via secure video sessions from anywhere in Australia. This page explains how Medicare rebates apply to these sessions and outlines the evidence supporting the effectiveness of online therapy for conditions such as anxiety, depression, and trauma.
Session Fees
All Couples sessions are $280 per session. Report Writing Fees vary on a case by case basis.
For Psychologists, please visit Supervision & Consultation.
Cancellation Policy
The following cancellation policy applies:
- Cancelling / rescheduling with less than 48 hours’ notice will incur a 50% fee.
- Cancelling / rescheduling with less than 24 hours’ notice (or no-shows) will incur the full session fee (100%).
- Medicare does not cover cancellation fees.
You can read the full cancellation policy here.
Medicare Rebates for Psychology Sessions
Rebates
- Medicare Rebates: $145.25 per session.
- For up to 10 sessions per calendar year.
- A GP’s Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) allows you to choose any psychologist in Australia.
Eligibility
- Valid Medicare card.
- GP Referral + MHTP (covers 6 sessions).
- New Referral after 6 sessions unlocks 4 further rebates.
Additional Medicare Rebates
Save more on your psychology sessions with these additional Medicare options – both can further slash your out-of-pocket expenses:
Medicare Safety Net
You may qualify for higher rebates once your eligible yearly out-of-pocket medical costs reach the Medicare Safety Net threshold (see current amounts here),:
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Medicare will cover 80% of any future gap fees beyond the usual rebate.
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e.g., If you’ve reached the Medicare Safety Net and use a GPCCMP for a $240 psychology session, your total out-of-pocket will drop to $35.64.
(After the $61.80 GPCCMP rebate, Medicare covers 80% of the remaining $178.20 Gap which is = $35.64)
GP’s Chronic Condition Management Plan (GPCCMP)
- If you’ve had a chronic condition for over 6 months, your GP can prepare a referral called a ‘GP Management Plan‘ (GPCCMP).
- This gives you access to Medicare rebates for a further 5 sessions per year
- The GPCCMP rebate starts at $61.80 per session (but this can increase significantly, if you have reached your Medicare Safety Net which will then cover up to 80% of out of pocket expenses).
- Referrals last 18 months. This is a practical option to reduce costs once you have used up your MHTP’s 10 Rebates in a calendar year.
Online Therapy Benefits
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Online therapy is as effective as in-person therapy (explore the research is detail, here).
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No commute required, offers you greater flexibility and convenience.
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Access quality psychological support, no matter where you live.
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Your therapy, your choice – Work with any Psychologist you want.
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Medicare rebates apply for Telehealth for up to 10 sessions per year.
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Private Health Rebates also apply.
Online Therapy: Explore the Research
Research involving tens of thousands of people has consistently found that online therapy produces outcomes comparable to in-person treatment for trauma, anxiety, and depression.
Telehealth: Why Andreas Offers Online Therapy
Online therapy (Telehealth) offers privacy, convenience, and flexibility without compromising effectiveness.
Working offers several advantages, especially for those who:
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Prefer the convenience and flexibility
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Want to save travel time & costs
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Live regionally, remotely, or abroad
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Travel frequently or prefer location independence
When the therapeutic relationship is strong, extensive research shows that online sessions can be equally as effective as in-person care — especially for evidence-based trauma therapies like EMDR therapy, which is highly effective when delivered online.
Medicare, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA), the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and Private Health Insurers ALL recognise online therapy as an effective, evidence-based mode of treatment and all offer rebates accordingly.
Online sessions with Andreas are eligible for:
- Medicare Rebates
- Private Health Insurance Rebates
- DVA Gold Card Rebates
- NDIS Participants
Is Online Therapy Effective?
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Research involving over 30,000 people across several decades consistently shows that the strength of the therapeutic relationship is the strongest predictor of successful therapy outcomes—regardless of whether treatment is delivered online or in person.
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A large body of research has found that online therapy produces outcomes comparable to in-person therapy across a wide range of conditions, including depression and anxiety, trauma, eating problems, and substance abuse problems.
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A 2020 study involving 4,336 therapy clients found no meaningful differences in outcomes between online and in-person therapy across multiple psychological concerns and outcome measures.
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Dozens of studies involving thousands of patients confirm that EMDR Therapy is highly effective when delivered online (this research is listed here).
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Telehealth offers greater convenience, can reduce barriers to accessing care, and is associated with greater service utilization and lower dropout rates.
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Medicare, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA), WorkCover, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), and private health insurers all recognise and fund telehealth as an evidence-based mode of treatment.
Online Therapy: Explore the Research
Research involving tens of thousands of people has consistently found that online therapy produces outcomes comparable to in-person treatment for trauma, anxiety, and depression.
To read more about building a strong therapeutic alliance and getting the most out of therapy, see the following resource:
How to Get The Most Out of Therapy
Are you new to therapy? Working with a psychologist is very different to visiting a doctor. Learn about what to expect and how you can get the most out your therapy experience, here.
Ready to Take the Next Step ?
Andreas is currently accepting new clients for online therapy.
Get in touch to discuss your goals.
Andreas will respond personally and guide you through the next steps.
Self-Help Tools:
Practical articles designed to help you better understand & address common challenges.
Evidenced-based tools to support your psychological wellbeing.
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