Blog 
Medicare subsidised visits to psychologists have been reduced from 1 January 2023.
This means the number of Medicare subsidised psychology sessions you can claim has dropped from 20 to 10, per calendar year.
The number of therapy sessions claimable was originally increased from 10 to 20 in October 2020, in response to the impact of Covid-19 under the Federal Government’s Better Access Pandemic Support measures.
To be eligible patients had:
- an approved treatment plan (either a Mental Health Treatment Plan, shared care plan, psychiatrist assessment and management plan or approved written record) developed by their medical practitioner;
- used their initial 10 individual Better Access sessions before seeking a referral for additional sessions; and
- a referral from their reviewing practitioner who considered additional mental health treatment services were appropriate.
However, as from January 1, patients will once again only be able to claim Medicare rebates for 10 visits.
According to Medicare, you do not need a new referral to access Better Access sessions from 1 January 2023.
“If a patient has a current referral (either for the initial 10 sessions or the additional 10 sessions) and has not used all sessions, they can use that referral to access sessions in 2023. However, the patient cannot receive more than 10 individual sessions in 2023.”
Decision Rationale
While the Australian Psychological Society had called for the additional 10 sessions to be made permanent, Federal Health Minister Mark Butler said assessments had shown additional therapy sessions did not achieve the intended result.
Funding for the additional sessions was to help address the mental health affects of lockdowns.
Mr Butler said a recent evaluation had found Australians used five sessions on average in 2021, with 83 per cent using fewer than 10 sessions.
According to reports, the Better Access scheme would be further reviewed in the New Year
Got Questions
For general information about how to consult a psychologist and the fees involved, including potential rebates, read this blog article.
To find out if the Medicare subsidy change affects you or for any other questions about your visit to Psychological Health Care, please contact our friendly team.