MBS mental health support extension for aged care residents

• prepare a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan
• refer them to a psychiatrist who may prepare a psychiatrist assessment and management plan, taking into account COVIDSafe practices.

A GP or psychiatrist (referring practitioner) can refer a person for an initial course of treatment of up to six individual psychological sessions. This may include:

• psychological assessment and therapy by a clinical psychologist
• focussed psychological strategies by an allied mental health professional.

The referring practitioner decides on the number of allied mental health services that someone will be referred for.

If someone uses all 10 initial individuals MBS (Better Access) sessions in a calendar year, an additional 10 individual sessions are available in each calendar year until 30 June 2022 if required. The referring practitioner will decide if this is clinically appropriate for the person. A maximum of 20 individual Better Access sessions is available in each calendar year.