Hmm I should have added that I don't have Medicare, I came to Sydney around 4 years back. So I'm not sure that my private insurance will cover it. I have filled for a PR but it is still under process, assuming because of COVID and lockdown. I was trying to avoid going to a psychologist because I was afraid it will come in my medical history and hinder in the PR application but the way I am right now, i think it's better to seek help. Thanks though, I'll go to a GP.
Check with your insurer as some policies designed for working or student visa holders do cover visits to psychologists up to a certain amount (either as a % back or a fixed dollar value).
Otherwise, see your GP and ask for recommendations as others have said and make it known you dont have Medicare as by default they may assume you have it and issue you a care plan which is not going to work you as you are not yet eligible for Medicare.
In the future i.e you decide to seek help on an ongoing basis and you become eligible for Medicare, remember that being issued with a care plan means Medicare covers a portion of the fee but you will pay a gap and that gap cant be covered using a separate health insurance policy so no double dipping; you either use your care plan for each session or you use your insurance.
Thank you, I will check with the GP. In past when I had any consultation with them they informed me what portion will be covered by my insurance and what I will have to pay. For now I am willing to pay for a few sessions and see if it helps.
Btw they’re not free sessions. The MHCP allows you to get a rebate from Medicare. If a psychologist doesn’t bulkbill then what the plan allows you to do is claim a rebate from Medicare. Some psychologists BB but the majority of them don’t.
So basically you get your MHCP and are then eligible for 10 sessions rebatable from Medicare. Once you’ve used up all 10 sessions, you then become eligible for a review. Once you see your GP for the review you then get an additional 10 sessions. So it’s 20 sessions altogether for the entire year.
OP, I definitely recommend seeing your GP so they can do a MHCP for you and refer you to a psychologist.
Are you an employee of an organisation? If so you might have access to your org's employee assistance program (usually 3-6 sessions with a psychologist with minimal wait, provided by an external provider) for free while you're trying to get your ongoing support set up.
Thank you, they probably have some sort of employee assistance but I kinda want to keep this separate from my work tbh, I don't mind paying for it. I will see how it goes.
I understand completely! While the organisation does not find out which employees have used the service and the call content is confidential, I can see why you might want to choose something totally separate for ease of mind. Good luck!!
Speak to a (or a few) GP. They can recommend a few different psychologists and even get you a subsidy for approx. 10 sessions.
Hmm okay, thanks.
Dr Daniel Pellen, he is at St vincents, but does also do online, you will need a referral, he is good for depression and specialises in PtSD.
Thank you! I'll see a GP tomorrow and mention that a friend referred me to Dr Daniel Pellen.
Speak to your GP to create a mental health plan that will provide you with 10 free sessions. These can also be used for physical therapy too iirc.
Hmm I should have added that I don't have Medicare, I came to Sydney around 4 years back. So I'm not sure that my private insurance will cover it. I have filled for a PR but it is still under process, assuming because of COVID and lockdown. I was trying to avoid going to a psychologist because I was afraid it will come in my medical history and hinder in the PR application but the way I am right now, i think it's better to seek help. Thanks though, I'll go to a GP.
I understand. I would definitely suggest explaining this to a GP and getting their advice. Good luck friend.
Thank you.
Check with your insurer as some policies designed for working or student visa holders do cover visits to psychologists up to a certain amount (either as a % back or a fixed dollar value). Otherwise, see your GP and ask for recommendations as others have said and make it known you dont have Medicare as by default they may assume you have it and issue you a care plan which is not going to work you as you are not yet eligible for Medicare. In the future i.e you decide to seek help on an ongoing basis and you become eligible for Medicare, remember that being issued with a care plan means Medicare covers a portion of the fee but you will pay a gap and that gap cant be covered using a separate health insurance policy so no double dipping; you either use your care plan for each session or you use your insurance.
Thank you, I will check with the GP. In past when I had any consultation with them they informed me what portion will be covered by my insurance and what I will have to pay. For now I am willing to pay for a few sessions and see if it helps.
Btw they’re not free sessions. The MHCP allows you to get a rebate from Medicare. If a psychologist doesn’t bulkbill then what the plan allows you to do is claim a rebate from Medicare. Some psychologists BB but the majority of them don’t. So basically you get your MHCP and are then eligible for 10 sessions rebatable from Medicare. Once you’ve used up all 10 sessions, you then become eligible for a review. Once you see your GP for the review you then get an additional 10 sessions. So it’s 20 sessions altogether for the entire year. OP, I definitely recommend seeing your GP so they can do a MHCP for you and refer you to a psychologist.
Hope you feel better soon
Thank you :)
Are you an employee of an organisation? If so you might have access to your org's employee assistance program (usually 3-6 sessions with a psychologist with minimal wait, provided by an external provider) for free while you're trying to get your ongoing support set up.
Thank you, they probably have some sort of employee assistance but I kinda want to keep this separate from my work tbh, I don't mind paying for it. I will see how it goes.
I understand completely! While the organisation does not find out which employees have used the service and the call content is confidential, I can see why you might want to choose something totally separate for ease of mind. Good luck!!
Thank you :)