Navigating Medicare Rebates for Your Psychology Sessions: An Ivy Psychology Guide
Taking the step to seek psychological support is a big one, and understanding how to make it more affordable through Medicare can make all the difference. At Ivy Psychology, we are here to help you navigate the process, ensuring you can access quality care without undue financial stress.
Unlocking Your Medicare Rebates: The Key Steps
It might seem a bit daunting at first, but accessing Medicare rebates for your psychology sessions is straightforward once you know the path. Here’s a clear breakdown:
Book an Extended GP Appointment: Your first port of call is your GP. Book an extended appointment specifically to discuss a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) and a referral letter. This longer session gives your doctor the time they need to properly assess your needs and create a suitable plan.
Get Your Documents Ready: Once your GP has provided you with both your Mental Health Treatment Plan and a referral letter, you've got your essential Medicare documents. You'll need these before your first psychology session to be eligible for the medicare rebate.
Fill in a Referral Form: To get started with us, fill in our online referral form. Once we receive it, a member of our team will be in touch to arrange all the necessary paperwork and help you book your first session with one of our experienced clinicians.
Attend Your Telehealth Session & Pay: After your session at Ivy Psychology, you'll be charged the full private fee. Don't worry though, because this is where Medicare steps in. The private fee allows you to then claim a substantial portion back.
Claiming Your Rebate: You'll receive a paid invoice from us after your session. You can then easily self-claim your rebate directly through Medicare (often via your myGov account). Once submitted, Medicare will process it, and the rebate will be paid directly back into your nominated bank account. Easy peasy!
The Benefits of a Mental Health Care Plan
So, what's the big deal with these rebates? With a valid Mental Health Treatment Plan, you can significantly reduce your out-of-pocket costs. As of 2025, you can save $96.65 per session with a General Psychologist and $141.85 per session with a Clinical Psychologist.
This means the cost to you, after the rebate, is significantly lower, making ongoing support much more accessible.
How Many Sessions Can You Get?
Under a Mental Health Care Plan, you're eligible for up to 10 Medicare-subsidised psychology sessions per calendar year. It's important to know that these aren't all given at once. Your initial referral will typically be for up to 6 sessions. After about 5 or 6 sessions, your psychologist will provide a brief letter to your GP, summarising your progress and requesting further sessions. You'll then need another quick check-in with your GP to get a re-referral for the remaining sessions (usually up to 4 more).
We'll help you keep track of your plan and re-referrals at Ivy Psychology, ensuring a smooth continuation of your support.
Finding Your Medicare Psychologist at Ivy Psychology
All of our qualified psychologists at Ivy Psychology are eligible providers for Medicare rebates. This means that as long as you have a valid Mental Health Care Plan and referral, you can claim rebates for your sessions with any of our team.
Taking control of your mental well-being is a journey, and accessing affordable support is a vital part of it. If you have any questions about getting a Mental Health Care Plan or claiming your rebates, please don't hesitate to get in touch with our friendly team.
