Mental Health Treatment Plan Work

Traditionally, your GP is your first go-to in the community to get mental health support. Often, they will conduct an assessment and recommend a customised treatment strategy, which is formalised in the MHTP. By agreeing to this plan, you become eligible for up to 10 individual therapy sessions with a registered psychologist, subsidised by Medicare. Now, you can also access the same mental health assessment via telehealth. Some providers offer them fully bulk billed, just like some GP clinics.

The plans normally require a review by the prescribing doctor after six sessions, to unlock access to Medicare benefits for the remaining four sessions. Telehealth providers also offer this service, although you may not be able to speak to the same doctor. (Only some providers offer to schedule appointments with specific doctors.)

Registered psychologists can also arrange the plans, so if you have an existing relationship with one, this may be another route.

Depending on the counselling provider, you may have to pay an out-of-pocket cost or qualify for fully bulk-billed sessions. It is worth enquiring in advance, as some offer free or fully subsidised sessions for special needs, e.g. financial hardship.

If you suffer from anxiety, depression, or have other symptoms of mental health problems, you may be eligible for an MHTP. It’s the assessing doctor who determines whether a plan will likely be suitable or whether another form of treatment may be more promising. There are two aspects to bear in mind when reaching out online for an MHTP: You want to feel comfortable enough to fully discuss your options with the consulting doctor. And you want to be sure of their qualifications before booking. This is one of the caveats of accessing mental health care online: While some may find it easier to reach out from the comfort of their own home and in relative anonymity, others may feel the interaction lacks the established trust you may have with your GP and be too impersonal without an in-person appointment.

• Book an Online GP Appointment:  Choose a premium provider with fully bulk-billed online mental health appointments. Hola Health is one of the top choices I’ve vetted. Prime Medic also offers fully bulk-billed appointments, if scheduled in advance.
• Be Prepared: Have your Medicare card ready, a symptom list and medical history, as well as your preferred counselling provider of choice, if you have one. The GP can keep this open, if you don’t know who you’ll see yet. Sometimes, they may have a list of recommendations for you. You could also check the MediCompare Mental Health page for a comparison on online providers.
• Find and Book Counselling: If approved, your doctor will provide your Mental Health Treatment Plan and referral letter shortly after your consult. If you booked counselling directly through the same platform, for example via PSYCH2U, GP2U’s partner, you can match with a suitable psychologist via the service. Or you can look for an online psychologist platform or telehealth counselling provider.
• Receive Online Therapy Sessions: These sessions follow the same guidelines as in-person appointments. Often, they are provided by counsellors with an offline practice as well, meaning you might be able to receive a mix of virtual and in-person counselling.

Pros

• MHTPs make counselling more affordable. From 2025, the rebate amount is $98.97 for a Registered Psychologist and $145.25 for a Clinical Psychologist.
• Access to a mental health assessment as well as the plan can often be scheduled without delay, often the same day you book.
• Wait times for counselling are drastically reduced, with many services offering access within a day.
• Online mental health care providers offer matching tools to find the most suited psychologist for your needs – nationwide. Some also have try-before-you-buy options, meaning you can schedule a session and switch to somebody else, if it’s not a good match.
• You may feel more comfortable opening up from the comfort and safety of your own home.
• Less downtime to travel to and from sessions.

Cons

• Less oversight by your GP. They may be kept in the loop via My Health Record.
• Continuity of doctors may be lacking with some telehealth providers. Make sure you choose a premium provider.
• Relative anonymity and impersonal experience during the mental health assessment, although this may largely depend on the doctor you have your consult with.
• While some online counsellors may also offer in-person sessions, you may not be able to travel to their location, particularly, if you are using a nationwide service provider.
• Not all providers will process your rebate, potentially meaning a longer time out-of-pocket and more hassle claiming through Medicare yourself.

MHTPs are a great option for accessing mental health care that is also available to you online – and fully bulk-billed. Choosing a trusted premium telehealth provider is your safest option to ensure high quality mental health care, including for follow-ups and any additional needs. MediCompare’s Mental Health page may be a good place for you to start comparing vetted online counselling providers.

This article is for informational purposes only and is no substitute for professional medical advice. Please choose your provider with care. Always consult your doctor or a qualified health professional regarding any health-related questions or concerns.

If you have urgent mental health needs, please contact Lifeline or Beyond Blue for immediate support.