Psychology: Are You Eligible for New Rebates and Provisions for Therapy via Videoconferencing?

We strive for high touch, personal, face to face services and wherever possible, our preference is to see you in person. We will continue to see clients in person, for as long as it is safe to do so.

However from time to time it's difficult for our clients to get into the clinic. If you cant get into the clinic, we can videoconference. We use secure end to end data encryption, online booking, online invoicing and you can pay by direct debit or credit card and we process rebates for you via Medicare and other insurers online. If you usually claim back a Medicare rebate, or if you are treated under NDIS or Workers Compensation, check below to see if you're eligible for support to videoconference

COVID-19

On Wednesday 11 March 2020, the Federal Government announced the release of a $2.4 billion health package to tackle COVID-19. This included the establishment of time limited Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) item numbers for the delivery of bulk billed telephone and video consultations. You can access bulk billed videoconferencing if one or more of the following are true

1. You have been diagnosed with COVID-19 virus, and you're not in hospital or you meets the current national triage protocol criteria for suspected COVID-19 infection.

2. You have been required to isolate yourself in quarantine in accordance with home isolation guidance issued by Australian Health Protection Principal Committee.

3. You are at least 70 years old

4. At least 50 years old or over if of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent

5. You are pregnant

6. You are the parent of a child under 12 months

7. You are a person under treatment for a chronic health condition

8. You are are immune compromised

What if you receive treatment under the NDIS?

Videoconferencing can be used where appropriate and with the agreement from the participant.

What if you're receiving treatment through Workers Compensation?

Practitioners will consider the appropriateness of this mode of service delivery for each worker on a case-by-case basis. Telehealth services require pre-approval from the insurer and must be consented to by all parties – the worker, Psychologist or Counsellor and insurer.

Even without Coronavirus, if you live in a rural or remote region, we can videoconference and bulk bill your services through Medicare (with a valid GP referral).

To see if your town classifies, check out the site below to check the geographical classification of any location in Australia. The map can tell you if a location is classified as city, rural or remote. To be eligible you need to live in areas MM4 - 7.

And if you're still unsure, give us a call in the clinic and we can help!