Medicare changes

The Australian Government will not be extending the Better Access initiative's temporary additional 10 psychology sessions beyond the expiration date of 31 December 2022.

People with a mental health treatment plan and current referral for sessions (whether for the initial 10 or additional 10) will be able to use that referral to access up to 10 sessions in 2023, without having to go back to their GP.

The Hon Mark Butler MP, Minister for Health and Aged Care, announced the changes on 12 December in a media release. The release stated that in early 2023, the Government will convene a forum of key experts and people with lived experience of mental illness to assess the recommendations of the independent evaluation and provide reform advice on how to improve Better Access, so all Australians have access to the same level of evidence-based care. The forum will consider how to support access to higher levels of treatment for those who need it, while supporting equitable access for vulnerable and marginalised Australians.

Read the media release here.

People living with an eating disorder may be eligible to access treatment through either an Eating Disorder Treatment and Management Plan (EDP), Mental Health Care Plan, and/or Chronic Disease Management Plan. Find out more here.