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Telehealth & Medicare Rebates


Telehealth Medicare Rebates


What is Telehealth ?

Telehealth is therapy delivered via video or telephone. Medicare rebates (i.e., 10 rebates per year) apply for all psychology sessions held via Telehealth.    

Telehealth has also been approved as a method of service delivery for DVA Gold Card Holders, NDIS recipients, and WorkCover claims. Private Insurance also accepts Telehealth as a treatment modality (depending on your level of cover). 

GP consultations and Psychiatry consultations are also eligible for Medicare rebates, independent of the 10 sessions you can now claim through for Psychology sessions.  

The benefits of include: 
  • Telehealth improves access to psychological support by removing geographical barriers and improving convenience.
  • Extensive research (outlined below) has found online therapy to be just as effective as face-to-face therapy.
  • Access quality psychological support, no matter where you live.
  • For Australian citizens, Medicare provides rebates for up to 10 sessions of Telehealth per year.



Does Telehealth Work ?

Yes – Telehealth has been found to be just as effective as face-to-face therapy. 
Below is a summary (with external links to this research):
  • Results of a 2020 study of 4336 therapy attendees found that there were no differences between outcomes of mental health services delivered via video and therapy delivered in-person. These results were obtained across a range of psychological problems and across a range of outcome measures. 
  • This is consistent with previous research that has found no difference in outcome between Telehealth and in-person therapy for adults, adolescents and children treated for depression, anxietytraumaeating problems, and substance abuse

  • Moreover, therapy delivered via video is also associated with a greater utilization of and fewer dropouts from mental health care.

  • For decades across both country and culture, the strongest and most consistent predictor of therapy success has been found to be the quality of the therapeutic relationship (aka ‘Therapeutic Alliance’), not the type of therapy being used. 

  • A recent meta-analysis of data from over 30,000 people found the same pattern of Therapeutic Alliance being the strongest predictor of therapeutic outcomes, regardless of whether therapy was delivered in-person or online.   

  • Although Telehealth may not suit everyone, most people report they find it more convenient than travelling to / from a doctor’s office for appointments.

  • Some people even report that they find it easier than speaking in-person (e.g., sessions held over the phone remove the need to focus on how you visually present when you are speaking in-person or via video).


Rebates for Telehealth

You can receive Medicare Rebates working with any psychologist in Australia via Telehealth. All Medicare card holders are eligible to receive rebates for up to 10 sessions per year.  In addition, rebates for Telehealth are also possible for GP and Psychiatry Consultations, DVA Gold Card Holders, NDIS recipients, WorkCover claims, and Private Health psychology sessions (double check with your individual policy or insurer). These services are all independent of the 10 rebates that you can claim through Medicare for psychology sessions.  

 

 To receive all 10 Medicare Rebates:

  • You must have a valid Medicare card. 
  • You must get a GP referral and a Mental Health Treatment Plan which will be valid for 6 sessions (you can use this to see any psychologist you choose: in-person or via Telehealth) 
  • After 6 sessions, you must return to your GP for a ‘Review of your Plan’. This Review gives you rebates for 4 more sessions (a total of 10 rebates). 
  • You can receive up to rebates for up to 10 sessions per year. 

  

Telehealth

 

 

Summary

  • Therapy via video or by telephone (Telehealth) is just as effective as in-person therapy.
  • Telehealth enables you to work with any psychologist in Australia that you choose.
  • Eliminating travel time to/from appointments gives you more choice around when (and where) your sessions occur. 
  • Australians are eligible for up to 10 Medicare rebates per year for sessions held via Telehealth.
  • If you already have a Mental Health Treatment Plan / referral to see a specific psychologist, know you can use this with any psychologist in Australia (it simply unlocks the ability for you to receive Medicare Rebates).  

 

If you are new to therapy, or if you are interested in working together, I have written the following article to help you get the most out of therapy. It contains useful information that will be relevant, regardless of whether or not we work together. For a list of all self-help articles I have written, please visit this page.

 

Dr Andreas Comninos 

PhD Clinical Psychologist 
EMDRAA Accredited Practitioner | Psychology Board Approved Supervisor
 

I am a PhD Clinical Psychologist with over 15 years’ experience. My intentions are to help you to feel safe and respected, to collaborate with you to set clear treatment goals, and to facilitate an exploration of yourself and your situation in ways that regular conversations do not normally allow. Together, I hope we can discover constructive ways to improve your situation and your relationship with yourself and others.

My expertise and training draws from the latest evidenced-based ways to work with the mind, the body and all difficult emotions. My listening skills allow me to identify stuck patterns and unexpressed needs. I can help you to find new ways of responding to difficult situations, and I can help you to develop more resilience in the face of life’s challenges so you live with more meaning and purpose.

Medicare rebates are available for all Australians for up to 10 sessions each year with a GP referral and a mental health care plan. No matter where you live in Australia, Medicare rebates apply for all face-to-face and Telehealth consultations

For immediate self-help, I have written practical articles containing tools to help you with a wide-range of topics. These articles are available here. If you are new to therapy, I recommend that you read this article to help you get the most out of therapy.

I look forward to hearing from you.

DSC04536 cropped (768 x 1177)

Dr Andreas Comninos

B.Psych (Hons), PhD (Clin Psych), MAPS, EMDRAA
PhD Clinical Psychologist
EMDRAA Accredited Practitioner 
Psychology Board Approved Supervisor 

Dr Andreas Comninos

PhD Clinical Psychologist | EMDRAA Accredited Practitioner 
Psychology Board Approved Supervisor 
B.Psych (Hons), PhD (ClinPsych), ACBS, MAPS
 
DSC04536 cropped (768 x 1177)

 

About me.

I am a PhD Clinical Psychologist with over 15 years’ experience. My intentions are to help you to feel safe and respected, to collaborate with you to set clear treatment goals, and to facilitate an exploration of yourself and your situation in ways that regular conversations do not normally allow. Together, I hope we can discover constructive ways to improve your situation and your relationship with yourself and others.

My expertise and training draws from the latest evidenced-based ways to work with the mind, the body and all difficult emotions. My listening skills allow me to identify stuck patterns and unexpressed needs. I can help you to find new ways of responding to difficult situations, and I can help you to develop more resilience in the face of life’s challenges so you can live with more meaning and purpose.

Medicare rebates are available for all Australians for up to 10 sessions each year with a GP referral and a mental health care plan. No matter where you live in Australia, Medicare rebates apply for all face-to-face and Telehealth consultations

For immediate self-help, I have written practical articles containing tools to help you with a wide-range of topics. These articles are available here. If you are new to therapy, I recommend that you read this article to help you get the most out of therapy.

I look forward to hearing from you.

 

Let’s Talk.

    Mindfulness & 

    Clinical Psychology Solutions

     

    [email protected]
    Po Box 1028, Newtown NSW 2042