Mental Health Care Plan

A Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP), also known as a Mental Health Treatment Plan, is created by a GP to outline a patient’s mental health needs and the recommended care.

Overall, having a valid Mental Health Care Plan is the precondition for accessing Medicare rebates on mental health services. Without a valid plan, you may be required to pay the full private consultation fee for therapy.

To qualify, a patient must meet all of the following criteria:

1. Be clinically diagnosed with a mental health disorder.
2. Require a moderate level of support.
3. Be likely to benefit from treatment.
4. Visit a GP with whom they are enrolled under MyMedicare.

The plan is not restricted to people in crisis. Anyone struggling with a diagnosable condition, including those who have been managing their symptoms on their own for some time, can speak with their GP about eligibility.

According to the International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision (ICD-10), Medicare rebates are available for a wide range of clinically diagnosed mental disorders, including:

• Depression
• Generalised anxiety disorder
• Panic disorder
• Phobic disorders
• Bipolar disorder
• Adjustment disorder (difficulty coping with life changes)
• Eating disorders
• Alcohol-use disorders
• Drug-use disorders
• Sleep problems (where related to a diagnosed mental health condition)
• Bereavement disorders
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

Patients can access up to 10 individual and up to 10 group mental health treatment services per calendar year (1 January to 31 December) with Medicare rebates.

These are generally approved in two stages: an initial block of 6 sessions, followed by a GP review. If the GP confirms that ongoing treatment remains clinically necessary, a further 4 sessions may be authorised.

How to use your Mental Health Care Plan to book sessions (including with seedoc.com.au)

You need a long (typically 40 minutes or more) consultation for the GP to conduct a proper mental health assessment and prepare the plan.

Here’s the step-by-step process:

Step 1: Book a long telehealth consultation with a GP at our clinic

Book Appointment and select a long consultation (approximately 40 minutes or more). During this appointment, the GP will assess your symptoms, make a diagnosis if appropriate, and prepare your Mental Health Care Plan.

Step 2: Receive your referral

Once the plan is prepared, the GP will provide a referral to a psychologist or other eligible mental health professional.

As part of the telehealth consultation, the GP is required to verify your identity in accordance with AHPRA guidelines. This typically involves confirming your full name, date of birth, and Medicare card details before the plan can be prepared.

Telehealth is suitable for many patients, but not all. In some cases such as when the GP is unable to make a confident clinical assessment remotely, or when a patient has complex care needs that require physical examination, the GP may recommend an in‑person consultation instead. A Mental Health Care Plan referral from a SeeDoc.com.au doctor will only be issued when it is clinically safe and appropriate to do so via telehealth.

The GP who prepares your Mental Health Care Plan must be either your usual medical practitioner, or a GP at the general practice where you are enrolled in MyMedicare. This is a Medicare requirement for claiming benefits under the Better Access initiative. If you are not registered with MyMedicare, the plan must still be prepared by your usual GP.

All Mental Health Care Plans are prepared by AHPRA‑registered GPs following a real‑time telehealth consultation. The GP must complete a mental health assessment and make a clinical diagnosis before a plan can be issued.

This page provides general information only and does not constitute medical advice.
Results vary from person to person, and not every consultation will result in a Mental Health Care Plan. If you are in crisis or experiencing an emergency, please call 000 immediately or go to your nearest hospital emergency department.