Mental Health Services in Prahran
Mental health is an important part of your overall health and wellbeing. It influences how you think, feel and respond to everyday life. Many Australians experience mental health concerns at some stage in their lives.
If you’re experiencing changes to your mood, increased stress, anxiety or other concerns affecting your wellbeing, speaking with your GP may be a helpful first step. Our GPs provide mental health assessments, prepare Mental Health Care Plans where clinically appropriate, and can refer you to psychologists, psychiatrists and other healthcare providers if required.
How We Can Help
Our GPs can provide:
- Mental health assessments
- Mental health care plans (where clinically appropriate)
- Ongoing GP management and review
- Referrals to psychologists, psychiatrists and other healthcare providers where appropriate
- Information about Medicare-funded mental health services for eligible patients
Who May Be Eligible?
Your GP may prepare a mental health care plan if, following an assessment, they determine that you have an eligible mental health condition and that a plan is clinically appropriate.
Eligibility is assessed individually during your consultation.
Mental Health Care Plans
A mental health care plan is a plan prepared by your GP for eligible patients who have been assessed as having a mental health condition.
During your appointment, your GP will discuss your concerns, assess your symptoms and medical history, and determine whether this plan is appropriate for your circumstances. Your doctor may also discuss treatment options, ongoing management and referrals to other healthcare providers where required.
Seeking medical advice early may help you better understand your symptoms and the treatment options available.
Benefits of a Mental Health Care Plan
A mental health care plan may help to:
- document your treatment goals
- support communication between your GP and other healthcare providers
- facilitate referrals to eligible allied health professionals
- provide a framework for ongoing review of your care
- enable eligible patients to access Medicare rebates for certain mental health services
What to Expect at Your Appointment
During your consultation, your GP may:
- discuss your symptoms and concerns
- review your medical history
- assess your mental health
- discuss appropriate management options
- prepare a mental health care plan if clinically appropriate
- arrange referrals to other healthcare providers where required
- recommend follow-up appointments to review your progress if appropriate
All consultations are conducted in a confidential and respectful environment.
FAQs
A Mental Health Care Plan is a plan prepared by a GP for eligible patients with a mental health condition. It outlines recommended treatment and management and may enable access to Medicare rebates for eligible mental health services.
Book an appointment with one of our GPs. During your consultation, your GP will discuss your concerns, assess your symptoms and determine whether a Mental Health Care Plan is appropriate for your circumstances.
Eligibility is determined by your GP following an assessment of your symptoms, medical history and individual circumstances.
Depending on your circumstances and current Medicare arrangements, eligible patients may receive Medicare rebates for services provided by psychologists and certain other allied health professionals following referral by a GP.
Under current Medicare arrangements, eligible patients may be able to access Medicare rebates for a limited number of allied health services each calendar year. Your GP can explain what may apply to your individual circumstances.
Consultation fees and out-of-pocket costs vary depending on the healthcare provider and your Medicare eligibility. Our reception team can provide information about our consultation fees, and your GP can discuss Medicare rebates that may apply.
If you have a mental health care plan, you may be eligible for Medicare rebates for your sessions. Some providers bulk bill, while others charge an out-of-pocket fee.
Mental Health Care Plans are reviewed periodically to ensure they continue to meet your healthcare needs. Your GP will advise when a review is recommended and whether an updated referral is required under current Medicare arrangements.
