A 50 minute individual consultation is $270.
Bulk billing may be available (see below).
Additional fees for assessments, support letters and court reports
Choices Mind & Body fees are significantly lower than
Australian Psychological Society recommended fee of $300 for 50 minute individual consultation to improve accessibility to services.
Payment methods include:
- Cash, EFTPOS (in clinic), Mastercard, Visa, Bpay, EFT transfer
- Immediate claiming of Medicare rebates available
- Immediate claiming of bulk billing to Medicare if previously agreed
- Receipts for claims with private health insurance available
- Worksafe and TAC billed directly to providers
See below breakdown of fees for different plans/cover. Prior clients should contact the clinic to discuss any change from prior fee schedules.
|
PLAN & FEE |
REBATE |
OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE |
|
Private Individual consultation $270 |
none or private health insurance cover |
$270 |
|
Mental Health Care Plan $270 Your GP can help to assess if you are eligible (up to 10 calendar year sessions) |
$137.05 with valid referral adjustments aligned with medicare updates |
$132.95 bulk billing or reduced out of pocket may be available |
|
Chronic Disease Management $270 Your GP can help to assess if you are eligible (up to 5 calendar year sessions) |
$58.30 with valid referral adjustments aligned with medicare updates |
$211.70 bulk billing or reduced out of pocket may be available |
|
WorkSafe fee equivalent to current worksafe rebate schedule You require submitted or approved Worksafe claim including mental health injury |
Rebate schedule defined by Worksafe at time of appointment with valid claim |
$0
|
|
Traffic Accident Victoria fee equivalent to current TAC schedule You require approved TAC claim and referral from your GP |
Rebate schedule defined by TAC at time of appointment with valid claim |
$0 |
|
NDIS fee based on current NDIS schedule You require approved services within current NDIS plan |
Rebate schedule defined by NDIS at time of appointment with NDIS plan |
$0 reimbursement claimed back for self managed or billed direct to plan manager |
Medicare
Mental Health Care Plan (Better Access to Mental Health)
Aims to improve outcomes for people with clinically diagnosed mental health difficulties by providing Medicare rebates for those accessing support from a registered psychologist. This requires a valid referral from a GP, psychiatrist or paediatrician.
- You must bring your referral to your first appointment to access the rebate
- The rebate will be processed electronically to your provided bank account or what is previously registered with Medicare
- Alternatively, a receipt will be provided for you to claim with Medicare
- Bulk billing or reduced out of pocket fees may be available in special circumstances if you speak directly with Dr Sonia Zammit
Eligibility and Rebate Info:
https://www.health.gov.au/initiatives-and-programs/better-access-initiative
Telehealth information – for rural and remote residents:
Information about additional 10 Medicare Benefit Schedule Items following COVID-19 – valid until June 2022:
Information about telehealth items and extension of Medicare rebates until December 2021:
http://www.mbsonline.gov.au/internet/mbsonline/publishing.nsf/Content/Factsheet-TempBB
Chronic Disease Management information:
For those with a chronic medical condition which requires support from at least two allied health practitioners (including a psychologist).
Your GP can help you assess if you are eligible and provide a referral.
You can access a total number of 5 sessions across all allied health on your treatment plan in a calendar year.
You must bring your referral to your first appointment to access the rebate and request automatic claiming
Medicare Safety Net:
The Medicare Safety Net is designed to assist frequent users of health services. Out-of-pocket expenses will count towards the Medicare Safety Net if a mental health care plan is utilised to access support. Once you reach your safety net you may receive higher rebates from medicare.
https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/services/medicare/medicare-safety-nets
Worksafe Claims
If you’re injured at work and have associated mental health impacts, or the injury is mental health related, you may be eligible for compensation of psychological treatment expenses. You will need to lodge a claim with worksafe for the mental health injury.
Please give your approved Worksafe claim number to your psychologist when booking your first appointment so that we can also check that your claim has been approved (whilst waiting for your claim to be approved, see below provisional treatment option).
You may also need to obtain a referral from your GP for psychological treatment under your Worksafe claim. Please bring this to your first session. Worksafe will not cover cancellation and non attendance fees. You will be responsible for full payment of any other fees incurred. The number of Worksafe funded consultations will vary based on individual circumstances.
Service can be provided by telehealth for a limited period of time following COVID-19 and you can discuss this with the psychologist to assess if it is available and appropriate and suited to your treatment needs at the time.
For information on how to make a claim visit:
https://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/you-make-workcover-claim
Worksafe Provisional payments rebates:
Victorian workers can access early treatment and support while they await the determination of their mental injury claim. This support is called provisional payments. Eligible workers can access provisional payments for reasonable treatment and services for up to 13 weeks, even if their claim is rejected. This can help you access support sooner to help support a faster recovery and return to work. This does not apply to treatment for physical injury.
https://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/provisional-payments
What do you need to do as the worker/employee to access provisional payments for mental health injury?
- Complete the Workers Injury Claim Form Part A (employer completes Question 7)
- Give the completed Workers Injury Claim Form to your employer
TAC Claims
TAC can help pay for treatment in the first 90 days after your accident. You do not need to contact TAC for approval first, though you will need a referral from you GP and have a TAC claim number. TAC may also directly encourage you to access support as part of your claim.
Please give your approved TAC claim number to your psychologist when booking your first appointment and a copy of your GP referral. TAC will not cover cancellation and non attendance fees. You will be responsible for full payment of any other fees incurred. The number of TAC funded consultations will vary based on individual circumstances and TAC will likely request a treatment plan from the psychologist to help make decisions.
Service can be provided by telehealth for a limited period of time following COVID-19 and you can discuss this with the psychologist to assess if it is available and appropriate and suited to your treatment needs at the time.
For information on how to make a claim visit:
- https://www.tac.vic.gov.au/clients/how-we-can-help/treatments-and-services/services/mental-health-and-wellbeing-services
- https://www.tac.vic.gov.au/what-to-do-after-an-accident
NDIS Claims
NDIS plans can include provision for payment of psychological services. You can request psychological services as part of core and capacity building services. Speak with your plan manage or support co-ordinator if you believe you require psychological services as part of your treatment plan.
For information about eligibility and applying for NDIS support including for psychosocial disability and psychological services
see https://www.ndis.gov.au/understanding
For self managed plans following access to services you can make direct payment for then claim back the expenses. For those with a plan manager, you will need to provide contact details so that invoices can be forwarded for payment.