Our Sessions
We are really looking forward to working with you towards a healthier mind and life. Below are the nuts and bolts of the available Medicare and Private Health Insurance rebates you may be eligible for. To tell you a little about your experience with Links for Life Psychology, we provide a comfortable 50 minute session which, for the first approximately 2 sessions will be focussed upon understanding the depths of your unique situation. There are no quick fixes or bandaids, although we do aim to equip you with the necessary tools as quickly as possible.
Just remember that your first appointment will require you to complete some paperwork, so please arrive early so as not to impede on the session time.
Rebates for Psychological Treatment at Links for Life
All psychologists at Links For Life Psychology have provider numbers for Medicare..
Rebates:
If you have been referred via a GP Mental Health Plan or via a Specialist referral, you will be eligible for rebates under Medicare Australia. The current rebate for a psychology consultation of 50 minutes duration is a minimum of $84.50 (more if you have reached the Safety Net).
If you do not have a GP Mental Health Plan or Specialist referral, you can self-refer and still be eligible for Private Insurance rebates providing you have Ancillary benefits and your policy includes Psychology. If you have any queries, please call your Private Insurance Fund. Please note, each Fund differs in regard to the number of sessions they will rebate and how much rebate is given per session.
Referrals:
Referrals are not required to attend our private clinic, however, you may be eligible for a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP). A General Practitioner or Psychiatrist will need to assess your eligibility for this scheme and provide you with a referral to our practice.
The MHCP entitles you to a partial rebate from Medicare for up to ten sessions of therapy in one calendar year (Please see the Medicare link for further information). Alternatively, you may be eligible for rebates through your private health fund (Check with your health care provider for more information).
Payment:
Accounts are payable on the day of your consult. We have EFTPOS facilities, and also accept cash or cheque.
Services requested outside of session times, such as school visits or liaising with other professionals, will attract additional fees together with your consult fee. Please discuss these with your individual therapist.
Late cancellation and “No Show” will attract a fee being the full private consult amount (no rebate is available for this charge). If you are unable to keep your appointment/s please give at least 24 hours notice. Our goal is to ensure that as many of our limited appointments are available to provide optimal service for all our clients.
Medicare Benefits:
If you have a condition such as anxiety or depression, or any other diagnosable mental health condition, either longstanding or in response to a distressing life event, you are eligible to be referred by a general practitioner or a psychiatrist under a Mental Health Care Plan. Under the plan you will be able to claim a substantial part of the cost of our service for up to ten sessions a year. To access Medicare benefits you will need to have a referral from your general practitioner or your psychiatrist prior to the commencement of counselling treatment at Links For Life Psychology
Further information on medicare rebates is available at www.psychology.org.au.
Generally speaking, a minimum 24 business hours’ is required if an appointment needs to be changed or cancelled, otherwise a cancellation fee is likely to apply.
Private Health Cover:
If you have private health cover you can claim for the cost of consultations. Each health fund varies in the amount that they refund so we advise you to check this with them prior to commencing our counselling sessions. You do not require if a referral if you are planning to claim from a private health fund.
To discuss rebate options for visiting a Links For Life psychologist please contact us.
