Mental Health
Care Plans
All you need to know about a Mental Health Care Plan, what they’re for and how to get one.
A Mental Health Care Plan is a document that a GP writes with you about treating a mental health condition. This can include depression and anxiety as well as substance issues, such as drinking and drugs.
The plan identifies:
- The goals you and the doctor have agreed on
- The type of healthcare you might need
How can a Mental Health Care Plan help me?
If you’re struggling with your mental health, having a Mental Health Care Plan can help with covering some of the cost of seeing a specialist mental health professional. It can also help you feel more in control of your mental health and feel more supported.
You don’t need a Mental Health Care Plan to access Helm’s services, but if eligible, it will help subsidise the costs of our counselling services.
What’s involved in getting a Mental Health Care Plan?
The doctor will assess your mental health by:
- Asking you a few questions, usually covering your symptoms, how you feel, what has been concerning you, and what you feel has affected your life
- Discussing your goals with you
Based on that, they’ll then determine if you would benefit from a Mental Health Care Plan
What does it cover?
A Mental Health Care Plan lets you claim up to 10 individual and 10 group sessions with a mental health professional each calendar year. As is the case for Helm’s services, Medicare only covers some of the cost. Typically, you will receive a rebate of $88 for each counselling session.
How can I get a Mental Health Care Plan?
You get a Mental Health Care Plan from a doctor. It can be your regular GP or you can access any health service.
If you’re interested in an online health service, we recommend InstantScripts. They have a team of Australian-registered GPs who can help patients access a Mental Health Care Plan. This will be done during a 20-minute video consultation. These consultations are subsidised by Medicare and have an out-of-pocket cost of $49.
