Telehealth General Psychologist Cost for Anxiety: Understanding Your Gap Fee After Medicare

Managing anxiety is a proactive step toward long-term well-being, but for many Australians, the financial aspect of treatment is a primary consideration. As digital healthcare becomes the standard, understanding the cost of a telehealth general psychologist is essential for effective budgeting. While Medicare provides significant subsidies for mental health services, patients often encounter a "gap fee", which is the difference between what a psychologist charges and the rebate provided by the government.

In 2026, the landscape of Australian telehealth continues to offer diverse options for those seeking support. By navigating these costs effectively, patients can ensure they receive consistent care without unexpected financial strain.

A gap fee, or out-of-pocket cost, occurs because most private psychologists set their fees based on their experience, location, and the specialised nature of their work. The Australian Psychological Society (APS) provides a recommended fee schedule, but practitioners are free to set their own rates. For the 2025-2026 period, the APS recommended rate is $318 per standard session, though some providers may charge less to remain accessible.

The Calculation of Out-of-Pocket Costs

When you book a session for anxiety therapy through a telehealth platform, you typically pay the full fee upfront. After the session, you claim a portion of that fee back from Medicare. The amount left over, which you have effectively paid out of your own pocket, is the gap fee.

Starting the Process with a GP

For those looking to connect with a trusted GP to start this process, platforms like Medmate make booking an initial consultation for a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) quick and easy. This plan is the primary mechanism that unlocks Medicare rebates for your counselling sessions.

Medicare rebates are indexed annually to help keep pace with the cost of healthcare. As of July 1, 2025, the rebate amounts have been updated. General psychologists (also known as Registered Psychologists) are highly qualified professionals who provide focused psychological strategies for anxiety.

Why Choose a General Psychologist?

While the rebate for a general psychologist is lower than that of a clinical psychologist, their base fees are often more affordable. This often results in a similar or even lower gap fee for the patient. General psychologists are experts in delivering evidence-based therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), which is highly effective for anxiety management.

To access these rebates for anxiety therapy, you must first be assessed during a GP consult. During this appointment, your doctor will check on your symptoms, prior treatments, medications, and, if appropriate, prepare a Mental Health Treatment Plan.

• Initial Sessions: Your MHTP initially grants you access to 6 rebated sessions.
• Review: After these sessions, you return to your GP for a review. If further support is needed, they can authorise an additional 4 sessions, bringing the total to 10 rebated sessions per calendar year.
• Referral: The GP will ask you who you would like to see for the counselling and provide a referral to the specific psychologist or telehealth service.

Accessing Digital Support

Platforms like Hola Health or Abby Health can be useful for those needing to speak with a GP about their mental health needs or to discuss the administration of a treatment plan.

For Australians with high medical expenses, the Medicare Safety Net provides a critical safety valve. Once your total out-of-pocket costs for out-of-hospital services (including psychology gap fees, blood tests, and specialist visits) reach a certain threshold within a calendar year, Medicare will increase your rebate.

2026 Thresholds and Benefits

For 2026, the Extended Medicare Safety Net (EMSN) thresholds are:

• General: $2,699.10
• Concession Cardholders/ Family Tax Benefit Part A Recipients: $861.20

Once you cross this threshold, Medicare typically pays up to 80% of any further out-of-pocket costs for the rest of the year. This makes ongoing anxiety therapy significantly more affordable. Medicompare is a valuable resource for comparing telehealth services, offering side-by-side reviews of platforms like Aussie Scripts and others to help you find the most cost-effective providers.

Telehealth has increased competition among providers, which has helped keep fees stable. Some services focus on providing "bulk-billed" or low-gap options, particularly for concession card holders.

Service Variations and Pricing

• Standard Telehealth: Most platforms, such as Our Sage, offer confidential online GP consults with Australian-registered doctors with a standard private fee.
• Bulk-Billed Options: While less common for psychologists, some services like 13Sick or Abby Health offer bulk billing for general medical advice that can lead to mental health support.
• Comprehensive Care: Services like Private Medical or DoctorsOnDemand provide high clinical oversight, which is reflected in their fee structures.

Holistic Health Integration

If you are managing other health factors alongside anxiety, such as weight-related stress, exploring a weight loss program through Hub Health or Healthy Life might offer a more holistic and cost-integrated approach to your health.

• Ask for a Concession Rate: Many psychologists offer reduced rates for students or concession card holders.
• Shop Around: Use Medicompare to check the standard fees of different telehealth providers.
• Check for "No-Gap" Services: Some platforms, like Prime Medic, may have specific practitioners who offer lower introductory rates or work within specific budget requirements.
• Use Private Health Insurance: If you have reached your 10-session limit on Medicare, private health insurance "extras" cover can often provide a rebate, though you cannot claim both for the same session.

The content created is intended for informational purposes only. It does not provide medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment. Always consult a healthcare professional for personal medical advice or treatment.