Is There A Government Scheme That Funds An Individual To See A Psychologist Or Psychotherapist?
Question: Does anyone know if there is any government/scheme that funds an individual to see a psychologist or psychotherapist, rather than a psychiatrist? I'm just wondering if the current system only funds keeping people locked in the medical system rather than enabling their rehabilitation through alternatives. Thank you for your time. Julie
Answer(1) Government funding for psychotherapy would be a mixed blessing. Government funding is first and foremost, politically motivated. It inevitably involves Government regulations and orchestration (interference). Since most bureaucrats would have no idea what constitutes credible therapy or therapists, their choice of who was officially acredited, would also become politically motivated. Their assessments of efficacy would be based on cost, time involved and numbers treated. The price paid by the chosen ones would be a very tight set of rules and regulations by which to abide, that may not necessarily be in anyone's best interest. A heap of paperwork for the outcome studies of the bean counters and perhaps a compromise of confidentiality would also likely be an unwelcome accompaniment. My experience is that there are some good therapists with a social conscience that are prepared to take on a few people for a vastly reduced fee, if the patient is sincere and really wants to do the work.
Answer provided by David White, Psychotherapist
Answer (2) Besides private health insurance rebates, there is a program called the Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) program, which offers Medicare rebates for up to 5 sessions with a whole range of allied health professionals - psychologists, dietiticians, and lots of others. This program is only meant for those with complex or chronic conditions, and the funding is minimal - but it is a start. The Medicare website has more details - and you could talk to your GP about it too.
Answer provided by Nicholas Rooke, Psychologist
Answer (3) Concurring with everything David says, I am duty bound to add that MedicarePlus now has a program for part funded, medical referral to Psychologists who are HIC registered providers for a limited number of sessions. For anything but limited information gathering and giving, the number of sessions and time allowed perfectly reflects both the AMA and the government's agendas. Contact the APS referral service at 1800 333 497 outside Melbourne and 8662 3300 in Melbourne. referral@psychology.org.au
Answer provided by Peter Fox, Clinical Psychologist
Answer (4) Without knowing any of the detail of your enquiry, there are a number of avenues which may apply. First though, I would like to give you some further information on Extended Primary Care Programs: As one respondent has advised, Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) programs allow GPs to authorise Medciare funding for allied health services outside the doctor's normal field of expertise.
While it is true the condition must be "chronic", this simply means that your GP takes the view your condition is of 6 months or more duration, or may reasonably be predicted to last 6 months or more. Your doctor can then refer you to a psychologist or to a Mental Health Worker like myself (Clinical Social Worker and Counsellor), who is registered with Medicare to perform counselling services under a GP's Extended Primary Care program.
Your Mental Health Worker or psychologist may provide the five funded sessions at no cost to you and bulk bill Medicare. If unable to do so, he or she will charge a fee and issue a receipt (listing the practitioner's provider number etc.) which enables you to claim the Medicare rebate under an appropriate Item Number. Five sessions would be insufficient for some conditions, but five or fewer could bring containment, relief and improvement in mental state and function for many people.
Some other links to free services:
1. Department of Veterans' Affaits (DVA). If you are a male or female veteran of any of the wars Australia has been involved in, or of an Australian peace-keeping force etc., you are entitled to counselling and other services. A call to 133 254 will get you started in establishing your eligibility. Anyone holding a Veteran's Affairs GOLD card or a WHITE card specifically listing mental health issues is eligible for free ongoing counselling. War Widows, spouses, and children (up to about mid-20s) are also entitled to services.
2. Community Health Services/Centres. Referral to a number of sessions with a psychologist or other may be available at your local Centre.
3. Issue Specific Services. A number of welfare and health agencies provide crisis and ongoing counselling support for tragedies such as sexual assault, victims of crime, domestic violence. Lifeline is a useful central 24/7 information and referral telephone service (13 11 14).
Answer provided by John Hunter, Counsellor
