Mental Health Treatment Plans: What to Know
A Mental Health Treatment Plan — also known as a Mental Health Care Plan — is a structured plan a GP prepares under Medicare's Better Access initiative. It records your concerns and treatment goals and unlocks up to 10 Medicare-rebated individual psychology sessions per calendar year, with a GP review partway through.
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No. Abby Health does not provide Mental Health Treatment Plans. They are prepared by your regular local GP — the plan is designed around an ongoing GP relationship, with reviews that unlock further sessions. If an Abby clinician prepared a plan for you in the past, your local GP can take over the reviews and next steps.
You need a valid Medicare card and mental health difficulties a GP assesses would benefit from structured support. No prior diagnosis is needed — the assessment happens in the appointment itself.
Book a longer appointment with your usual local GP and mention the plan when booking so the time is set aside. Your GP completes a structured assessment, agrees goals with you, and — where clinically appropriate — prepares the plan and the psychology referral. If you do not have a regular GP, Healthdirect's service finder can help you find one.
Many local GPs bulk bill the plan consultation for eligible patients; others charge a fee with a Medicare rebate. The psychology sessions attract a Medicare rebate per session, with some psychologists bulk billing and others charging a gap. Details are at Services Australia.
Support that starts from home
Abby Health offers Nurse Practitioner-led mental health support: assessment and short-term support for mild to moderate concerns such as anxiety, low mood, stress, sleep difficulties and grief, with referral coordination and regular GP review built in. Our Nurse Practitioners are AHPRA-endorsed clinicians with specialist mental health experience. Where a Mental Health Treatment Plan or other GP-led care would serve you better, your clinician will refer you and help you get there.
Appointments are bulk billed for eligible patients with a valid Medicare card. Strict Bulk Billing eligibility criteria applies.
If you are in immediate danger, call 000. Free, 24/7 support: Lifeline 13 11 14 · Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467 · Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636 · 13YARN 13 92 76. A plan is for ongoing support, not urgent safety.
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The information reflects guidance available as of the "last updated" date shown above. Medical knowledge evolves, and individual circumstances vary — always discuss decisions about your care with a qualified clinician.
In an emergency, call 000 or attend your nearest emergency department. Abby Health is not an emergency service. For mental health crisis support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
If you have feedback or believe any information in this article requires correction, please contact our editorial team at support@abbyhealth.app. Abby Health complies with AHPRA advertising standards and the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care's National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards.
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