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  • About Us
    • Opening Hours
    • Fee Schedule
    • Our Therapists
    • FAQ’s
    • Medicare Rebates
    • Private Health
  • Our Services
    • Individual Counselling
    • Relationship Counselling
    • Victims of Crime
    • WorkCover / TAC
  • Book Appointment
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  • Contact Us

Fee Schedule

Over the past few years, Medicare Australia has introduced a number of schemes to make Psychology and Allied Health Counselling Services more accessible to everyday people.

All of the Practitioners at Positive Wellbeing Clinic have a Medicare Provider Number, which allows them to offer Medicare rebates for certain services to eligible clients.

The most common scheme that clients tend to be referred through, and also the most generous in terms of rebates and session numbers, is the Better Access to Mental Health Care Scheme.   Eligible clients are entitled to 10 individual and 10 group therapy sessions per calendar year.  At our Clinic, these rebates cover 70 to 80 percent of the session cost.

To find out if you are eligible for a Medicare rebate, please read the detailed information on this page about each of the various schemes.  Alternatively, you can contact our Clinic to discuss your specific situation or speak to your treating doctor about your options.

How Do I Claim?

For your convenience our Clinic offers the Medicare EasyClaim service to process all rebates that you are entitled to on the day of your appointment.  This means minimal delays in getting the funds back into your account, as most rebates are credited by Medicare within a few hours, if not immediately.

Medicare no longer provides rebates in cash, so this system is the quickest and most convenient way of ensuring that your Medicare rebate is available to you sooner, rather than later.

Unlike other claiming methods (in Person, Online, over the Phone or via Mail) you do not need to do anything to register and there are no annoying forms for you to fill in or sign.  So not only do you get your rebate back quicker, but it is easier and more convenient as well.

To claim your Medicare rebate back on the day of your first appointment there are some important things you need to know.

Tips About Claiming Your Medicare Rebate

  • Firstly, you must meet the eligibility criteria for the Medicare rebate before we can process it. In most cases, this will mean providing us with a copy of your referral approving the Medicare services that you are entitled to.
  • You must have an active Medicare Card and be able to show evidence of your Medicare number, Individual Reference Number (IRN) and expiry date.  All of these details are listed on your Medicare card.  If your card has been lost, stolen, or has expired you can order a new one from Medicare and they will provide a print out of the relevant details in the interim.
  • You must have an active bank/EFTPOS card linked to the Savings or Cheque account that you want the rebate deposited in to.  A credit card is not acceptable for this purpose.
  • You must pay your account in full before your rebate can be processed.
  • Your rebate can only be processed once your appointment has been completed.  So if you pay in advance for a service, your rebate will not be processed until the day of your appointment.
  • For ongoing services, a Medicare claim will only be processed if you continue to meet the eligibility criteria for the services being provided.  This may mean providing an updated referral after the first course of six sessions or ensuring that you have not exhausted the total number of services available to you for the calendar year.
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A Guide To the Medicare EasyClaim System

The steps below are a guide of what will occur on the day of your appointment if you wish to use the Medicare EasyClaim facilities:

  1. The patient or claimant (if a parent or carer is paying) will pay for the appointment in full by cash, cheque, credit card or EFTPOS.
  2. The Medicare card is then either entered or swiped through the practice’s EFTPOS terminal.
  3. Basic details are entered via the EFTPOS keypad including referral details, provider information and the relevant item number.
  4. The claim is sent to Medicare for verification and a successfully transmitted response message is sent back to the terminal within seconds.
  5. The patient swipes their EFTPOS card through the EFTPOS terminal and enters their PIN. If Medicare accepts the service the Medicare rebate is paid directly into their cheque or savings account almost immediately.

Please Note: 

Positive Wellbeing Clinic does not take responsibility for any Medicare rebates that are declined or rejected as a result of technical issues or a client’s ineligibility to receive a particular rebate.  As we are private service the full session fee must always be paid on the day of your appointment (or additional late fees will apply).  The claiming facilities are intended to offer a quick and convenient way for eligible clients to claim their rebate, not as a substitute for full payment.  We trust that you agree this is a fair and reasonable policy and we thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Detailed Information About The Various Medicare Schemes

As outlined above, Medicare Australia offers a number of schemes to make Psychology and Allied Health Counselling Services more affordable and accessible to everyday people.  Details of these schemes are provided below to help you determine what, if any, rebates you may be entitled to.

Better Access To Mental Health Care Initiative

Overview

The Better Access to Mental Health Care Initiative was first introduced on 1st November 2006 by the Australian Government with the aim of improving outcomes for people with a clinically-diagnosed mental disorder.  Under this scheme, all Psychologists, Clinical Psychologists and Mental Health Social Workers who are endorsed by Medicare Australia can provide treatment services for mental health problems.

Eligibility Criteria

Medicare rebates provided under this scheme are available to clients with an assessed mental disorder.  This includes mental health conditions such as:

  • Psychotic Disorders
  • Bipolar
  • Depression
  • Anxiety, Panic and Phobic disorders
  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
  • Adjustment Disorders
  • Sexual Disorders
  • Conduct Disorders
  • Bereavement Disorders
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Eating Disorders
  • Drug and/or Alcohol use Disorders
  • Sleep problems
  • Attention Deficit Disorders

Do I Need A Referral?

YES.  If you are referred by your GP then you need a special type of referral called a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP).  Alternatively, a referral from your Psychiatrist or Paediatrician is also acceptable.

Your GP, Psychiatrist or Paediatrician can refer you for up to six individual or six group allied mental health services.  This may comprise either psychological assessment or therapy by a Clinical Psychologist or focussed psychological strategies by an allied mental health professional.

Once you have used all of your sessions allowed under your referral, you will need to have a review with your GP, Psychiatrist or Paediatrician to determine whether you are eligible for further sessions.

How Much is the Rebate?

The Medicare rebate for services provided through this scheme varies depending on the duration of the session, the Practitioner that you see and where the session is conducted (i.e., at the Practitioner’s rooms or a different location).

How Many Sessions Can I Have?

Medicare rebates are available for up to 10 individual services and up to 10 group therapy services per calendar year.

Chronic Disease Management Initiative

Overview

The Chronic Disease Management (CDM) Medicare items on the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) enable GPs to plan and coordinate the health care of patients with chronic or terminal medical conditions, including patients with these conditions who require multidisciplinary, team-based care from a GP and at least two other health or care providers. The items are designed for patients who require a structured approach to their care.

Eligibility Criteria

Medicare rebates for psychology services provided under this scheme are available to clients with a chronic medical condition.

A ‘chronic medical condition’ is one that has been, or is likely to be, present for at least six months, including but not limited to:

  • Asthma
  • Cancer
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Diabetes mellitus
  • Musculoskeletal conditions and
  • Stroke

Do I Need A Referral?

YES.  In order to access Psychology and other Allied Health Services under this scheme, clients must have a special referral called a GP Management Plan and Team Care Arrangements in place.

How Many Sessions Can I Have?

Medicare rebates are available for up to five Allied Health Services per calendar year.

How Much is the Rebate?

The Medicare rebate as of 1st November 2012 is $52.95 for a service of at least 20 minutes duration.

Pregnancy Support Counselling

Overview

The non-directive pregnancy support counselling service is available to women who are concerned about a current pregnancy or a pregnancy that occurred in the preceding 12 months.

This type of counselling is based on the understanding that in many situations, people can resolve their own problems without being provided with a solution by the counsellor.

The service involves the counsellor undertaking a safe, confidential process that helps the patient explore concerns they have about a pregnancy. This includes providing unbiased, evidence-based information about all options and services available to the patient, where requested.

Eligibility Criteria

Medicare rebates for psychology services provided under this scheme are available to women who are concerned about a current pregnancy or a pregnancy that occurred in the preceding 12 months.

Do I Need A Referral?

YES.  In order to receive a Medicare rebate under this scheme you will need to be referred to an eligible Psychologist, Social Worker or Mental Health Nurse for services, via a signed and dated letter or note.

A new referral is required for each pregnancy or if you wish to be referred to a different provider.

How Many Sessions Can I Have?

A Medicare rebate is available for up to 3 non-directive pregnancy support counselling services per patient, per pregnancy.

These services can be used to address any pregnancy related issues for which non-directive counselling is appropriate.

How Much is the Rebate?

The Medicare rebate as of 1st November 2012 is $62.20 for a service of at least 30 minutes duration.

Follow-up Allied Health Services For People Of Aboriginal Or Torres Straight Islander Descent

Overview

From 1 November 2008, follow-up allied health items are available to people of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent, on referral from their GP.

Eligibility Criteria

Medicare rebates for psychology services provided under this scheme are only available to people of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent who have had a health assessment completed.

For the purposes of these items, a person is of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent if they self-identify.  Clients will usually be asked to self-identify their Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander status either verbally or by completing a form.

Do I Need A Referral?

YES.  In order to receive a Medicare rebate under this scheme you will need to be referred by you GP using the referral form issued by the Department that can be found at http://www.health.gov.au

How Many Sessions Can I Have?

A Medicare rebate is available for up to five follow-up allied health services per calendar year.

How Much is the Rebate?

The Medicare rebate as of 1st November 2012 is $52.95 for a service of at least 20 minutes duration.

About Us

Positive Wellbeing Clinic is a private psychology and counselling practice located in Ballarat. We provide a range of services including Individual Counselling and Relationship Counselling. We also offer psychology services to Victims of Crime and WorkCover/TAC clients.

Clinic News & Opening Hours

Many of our therapists continue to work remotely. In person is available by therapist invitation only. Chloe is available at reception in clinic Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday’s.

Therapists availability, location, and referral requirements can be seen online via the client portal (book online option for new clients or existing clients not yet registered).

Please do not attend in clinic even by therapist invitation if you have any cold or fly like symptoms.

24/7 Crises & Phone Support Services

Immediate Supports:
Lifeline 13 11 14
Suicide Callback Service 1300 659 467
The Beyond Blue Support Service 1300 22 4636

National Helplines & Websites:
1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
Mensline Australia 1300 78 99 78
Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800
Headspace 1800 650 890
PANDA 1300 726 306
QLife 1800 184 527

Contact Us

36b Victoria Street, Ballarat East, 3350

Phone: (03) 5309 3145 or 0484665871
Fax: (03) 5309 3146
Email: reception@positivewellbeing.com.au

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  • About Us
    • Opening Hours
    • Fee Schedule
    • Our Therapists
    • FAQ’s
    • Medicare Rebates
    • Private Health
  • Our Services
    • Individual Counselling
    • Relationship Counselling
    • Victims of Crime
    • WorkCover / TAC
  • Book Appointment
  • Our News
  • Useful Links
  • Contact Us
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