MEDICARE & INSURANCE INFORMATION
THERAPEUTIC SERVICES
FEES
Cocoon Psychology and Allied Health provide professional and affordable mental health services. Our psychologists have chosen to keep our GAP fees significantly lower than the recommended rate and range from $25-$60 for a 50 minute consult. With a Mental Health Treatment Plan and referral, Medicare will only provide rebates when seeing a nationally registered psychologist, but not when seeing a professional counsellor or provisional psychologist. As such the out of pocket rate to see a counsellor or provisional psychologist is higher. You must contact your therapist to confirm their fee and the out of pocket incurred as each therapist is an independent practitioner with different fee structures.
REFERRAL PROCESS FOR PSYCHOLOGY
You may opt to visit a psychologist directly without a referral however you will not be able to access Medicare rebates. A Medicare rebate significantly reduces your out of pocket. To access Medicare rebates a Mental Health Treatment Plan and referral must be completed by your Doctor, prior to your first consultation, and after every 6th consultation. Your Doctor will determine whether you are eligible for a MHTP.
A rebate is a part payment provided by Medicare.
WHAT DO MEDICARE REBATES FUND
Medicare provides a part payment for psychological counselling provided to the patient named on the referral. Please note that Medicare rebates rarely cover the full fee for a service and in most instances a GAP fee applies as outlined above. For psychology services, the full fee applies at each consultation and a rebate is refunded to eligible clients after the full fee is paid.
MEDICARE REBATES ARE UNAVAILABLE FOR THE FOLLOWING SERVICES
Fees associated with the following services are billed directly to the patient.
Payment is due on the day of service. All accounts must be paid prior to making future appointments. Each therapist offers different payment methods. Please confirm procedures with your therapist prior to attending.
CANCELLATION POLICY
The demand for appointments is high. As such we maintain a wait list to fill spaces when cancellations occur. To enable us to offer your space to someone who is waiting for an appointment, and to avoid a late cancellation fee, please provide 48 hours notice of cancellation.
You will be charged a late cancellation fee if you provide less than 24 hours notice. Cancellation fees are not covered by Medicare or third parties, and must be paid prior to booking future appointments.
Cocoon Psychology and Allied Health provide professional and affordable mental health services. Our psychologists have chosen to keep our GAP fees significantly lower than the recommended rate and range from $25-$60 for a 50 minute consult. With a Mental Health Treatment Plan and referral, Medicare will only provide rebates when seeing a nationally registered psychologist, but not when seeing a professional counsellor or provisional psychologist. As such the out of pocket rate to see a counsellor or provisional psychologist is higher. You must contact your therapist to confirm their fee and the out of pocket incurred as each therapist is an independent practitioner with different fee structures.
REFERRAL PROCESS FOR PSYCHOLOGY
You may opt to visit a psychologist directly without a referral however you will not be able to access Medicare rebates. A Medicare rebate significantly reduces your out of pocket. To access Medicare rebates a Mental Health Treatment Plan and referral must be completed by your Doctor, prior to your first consultation, and after every 6th consultation. Your Doctor will determine whether you are eligible for a MHTP.
- Eligible people can access rebates for up to 10 individual consultations in a calendar year (1 January to 31 December).
- After the first 6 consultations your psychologist will provide a report for your doctor and your doctor will assess your progress to determine whether further sessions are approved.
- When you have utilised 10 rebates in a calendar year you will not be eligible for any further Medicare rebates. Additional consultations incur full fees.
- Medicare is only available for therapeutic services and are not available for assessment services.
A rebate is a part payment provided by Medicare.
WHAT DO MEDICARE REBATES FUND
Medicare provides a part payment for psychological counselling provided to the patient named on the referral. Please note that Medicare rebates rarely cover the full fee for a service and in most instances a GAP fee applies as outlined above. For psychology services, the full fee applies at each consultation and a rebate is refunded to eligible clients after the full fee is paid.
MEDICARE REBATES ARE UNAVAILABLE FOR THE FOLLOWING SERVICES
Fees associated with the following services are billed directly to the patient.
- Assessments
- Consultations provided by a Counsellor (only available for Psychology)
- Couple counselling
- Letters and emails
- Parent Consultations
- Reports
- Stakeholder Consultations (e.g. teachers, lawyers, case workers)
- Travel
- THIRD PARTY & INSURANCE RATES: Rates applicable are set by the Australian Psychological Society.
- NDIS RATES: Applicable rates are recommended by the NDIS Commission.
- PRIVATE HEALTH: Please contact your private health care fund directly to determine eligibility for rebates.
- INSURANCE & MAIB: Eligible patients may have access to cover.
- EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS (EAP): may cover psychology and counselling fees for up to 4 consultations.
- Eligible Victims of Crime may have cover for psychology and counselling services.
- Eligible veterans will have cover by the Department of Veteran Affairs.
Payment is due on the day of service. All accounts must be paid prior to making future appointments. Each therapist offers different payment methods. Please confirm procedures with your therapist prior to attending.
CANCELLATION POLICY
The demand for appointments is high. As such we maintain a wait list to fill spaces when cancellations occur. To enable us to offer your space to someone who is waiting for an appointment, and to avoid a late cancellation fee, please provide 48 hours notice of cancellation.
You will be charged a late cancellation fee if you provide less than 24 hours notice. Cancellation fees are not covered by Medicare or third parties, and must be paid prior to booking future appointments.
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