Question 1

Do you have a reception number/email I can contact?

Accepted Answer

There is no central receptionist. Each clinician operates their own independent practice and can be contacted directly. Please refer to our individual contact details for more information.

Question 2

How much does it cost to see a clinician at The Richardson Group?

Accepted Answer

Each clinician sets their own fees. Please visit each clinician's website or contact them directly for fee inquiries.

Question 3

Can I get a Medicare Rebate?

Accepted Answer

You may be eligible for a Medicare rebate if you have a valid GP referral. As of July 2024, the current Medicare rebates for a 50-minute session with each clinician are as follows:
 
Psychiatrist – $138.55 (under 40 minutes); $222.80 (over 40 minutes)
Clinical Psychologist – $141.85 under a MHCP or EDP; $56 under an EPC
Dietitian – $56 under an EDP or EPC
Occupational Therapist – $56 under an EPC

Question 4

Do I need a referral from a GP?

Accepted Answer

To claim a Medicare rebate, you will need a valid referral from a GP. However, a GP referral is not required to see a Psychologist, Dietitian, or Occupational Therapist. It is recommended, though, that you obtain a GP referral if you wish to see a Psychiatrist.

Question 5

What is a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP)?

Accepted Answer

A Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) is a document prepared by a GP that allows individuals to access a Medicare rebate for up to 10 sessions with a psychologist per calendar year. To receive this Medicare benefit, a GP referral is required, and it must be dated on or before the session you wish to claim.

Question 6

What is an Eating Disorder Treatment and Management Plan (EDP)?

Accepted Answer

An Eating Disorder Treatment and Management Plan (EDP) is a plan created by a GP that allows eligible individuals to access Medicare rebates for up to 40 psychology sessions and 20 dietitian sessions over a 12-month period.

For psychology sessions, the EDP must be reviewed by a GP after every 10 sessions to continue receiving Medicare rebates. Additionally, for sessions 21-40, a psychiatrist must review the EDP at any point before session 21. Due to long waiting times for psychiatric appointments, it is recommended to seek an early referral to a psychiatrist for this review.

No reviews or re-referrals are required for Medicare rebates for the 20 dietitian sessions.

Here is a step-by-step guide for accessing ongoing Medicare rebates for psychology sessions:

Step 1: Your GP creates the EDP, granting access to Medicare rebates for sessions 1-10.
Step 2: Your GP reviews the EDP and provides a re-referral, allowing access to sessions 11-20.
Step 3: A psychiatrist reviews the EDP (any time before session 21), and your GP provides another review and re-referral, giving access to sessions 21-30.
Step 4: Your GP conducts a final review and re-referral, granting access to sessions 31-40.

Please note, the EDP expires exactly 12 months from the creation date, regardless of whether all 40 psychology and 20 dietitian sessions have been used.

For more information on the EDP, please visit Inside Out.

Question 7

What is an Enhanced Primary Care Plan (EPC)?

Accepted Answer

An Enhanced Primary Care Plan (EPC) is a plan created by a GP that allows eligible individuals to access a Medicare rebate for up to 5 sessions with allied health professionals. These professionals include (but are not limited to) dietitians, occupational therapists, psychologists, physiotherapists, exercise physiologists, and speech pathologists.

Please note that the 5-session limit applies across all services. For example, if you see a dietitian three times and an occupational therapist twice, you will have used all 5 available sessions.

Question 8

Does my private health fund cover sessions?

Accepted Answer

If you have private health insurance, your fund may provide a rebate for sessions that have not already been claimed through Medicare. The rebate amount varies depending on your level of cover, so please check with your private health insurance provider for specific details.

Question 9

What is a Medicare Safety Net?

Accepted Answer

The Medicare Safety Net is a system designed to provide financial protection for individuals facing high out-of-pocket medical expenses. It helps reduce healthcare costs by offering additional Medicare benefits once a specific threshold of out-of-pocket expenses is reached.

The threshold varies for each household, but as of 2024, the current General Safety Net Threshold is approximately $1,618.10 for individuals and families.

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