A MHTP does not expire, a patient can continue on the same MHTP indefinitely with the GP updating a patient’s original plan over the years if appropriate. In other words, once processed, the original MHTP is always valid (unlike referrals).

Patients with a MHTP should have at least one formal review following activation of their MHTP. Generally, a formal review (MBS item 2712) should occur four weeks to six months after the activation of a GP MHTP. In most cases, a review of a patient’s MHTP will occur after the first referral is completed (i.e., after the first treatment block which is typically 6 sessions).

If a further review is required, this can occur three months after the first review, however most patients should not need more than two formal reviews in a 12 month period as a review only needs to be completed if something has changed clinically in regard to the patient’s mental health presentation.

If a patient is not in need of a MHTP review but requires access to further sessions under their plan, you may write a rereferral letter to the treating psychologist requesting that the patient continue to be seen. A patient may require rereferral for the remainder of their MHTP sessions as early as 6 weeks following their initial referral.

There is a myth that Better Access referrals are valid for a specific period of time such as 12 months, however this is not true. Better Access referrals are valid for the number of sessions specified in the referral, and can cross calendar years if needed. Referrals can be provided at any point in the calendar year and are not dictated by the MHTP commencement date.

Under the Better Access initiative, when activating a MHTP GPs should initially refer eligible patients for six psychological services. If the initial referral is complete and further treatment for the patient is required, there is no requirement for the health practitioner to wait until the anniversary of the initial MHTP before referring their patient for the additional four services that are available.

Note: Please be sure to stipulate the number of sessions you are requesting the patient have access to (e.g. “for the balance of their remaining sessions for the calendar year”).

Session limits are based on a calendar year (i.e., 1 January to 31 December). Clients can access up to 10 sessions per calendar year for individual therapy.

Each referral letter must specify the number of sessions covered by that referral. This is called the course of treatment. In this instant a set of 10 sessions is typically made up of two courses of treatment. In addition, referrals for individual therapy under the initial 10 sessions may be for a maximum of six sessions per referral (in any combination up to a maximum of 10 sessions per calendar year).

The standard approach is a 6+4 combination, but any combination is acceptable (up to a maximum of 6 per referral and 10 total initial sessions per calendar year).

Unlike formal reviews, there is no specific item number associated with preparation of a referral or rereferral under a MHTP. GPs can use a standard consultation item number, or they can use a mental health consultation item number (if they are eligible to do so).

Note: MBS item 2712 does not have to be used in order for additional psychological services to be accessed. GPs can use a different MBS item number to conduct a consultation with a patient for the purpose of providing access to additional sessions under their MHTP.

Supplementary to their 10 individual sessions, a patient with a valid MHTP is entitled to an additional 10 group therapy sessions per calendar year, provided that participation in the group program is considered complimentary to their individual treatment.

Group therapy requires a separate referral letter, and has a maximum of six sessions per referral (and a maximum of 10 group sessions per calendar year).

Referrals are valid for the number of services shown on the referral letter regardless of whether a patient chooses to change their allied mental health provider.

Referral for the provision of psychological services do not have an expiry date. These services are valid for the stated number of sessions on the referral rather than a specified period.

When referred psychological services are not used during the calendar year in which the patient is referred, the unused services may be used the next calendar year. In this instance, the psychological services will count towards the maximum number of services (10 sessions in any calendar year) available to the client in that year.

If a patient accesses Medicare benefits for all available services within a calendar year, they do not require a new MHTP to be created at the start of the next calendar year to continue accessing allied mental health services. Since a MHTP triggers a patient’s eligibility for funding under the Better Access Initiative a new mental health care plan should not be prepared unless clinically required.

In addition, if your patient requires treatment beyond the 10 sessions for which they can claim a Medicare rebate, they are able to continue to see their psychologist as a private paying client, but no Medicare rebate is available for the remainder of that calendar year.

In certain circumstances, it may be appropriate for the GP to prepare a new MHTP. For example, if a significant change occurs with the patient’s circumstance or symptoms, or if a patient transfers their care to a new GP.