Mental Health Treatment Plans

What is a Mental Health Treatment Plan?

A Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP), sometimes called a Mental Health Care Plan, is a short document your GP prepares with you. It outlines your current concerns, relevant history, and a plan for treatment, and it's what activates your Medicare rebate for psychology sessions under the Better Access initiative.

An MHTP is a separate document from a referral letter, though both are usually organised in the same GP appointment.

How do I get one?

Book a longer appointment with your regular GP and let the practice know it's for a Mental Health Treatment Plan — this helps them allocate enough time. Your GP will talk through what's been going on, your history, and your goals for treatment, then prepare the plan and a referral.

You don't need to have already chosen a psychologist before this appointment. An open referral (addressed simply to "the treating psychologist") is perfectly valid and can be sent to us once you've decided to book.

How many sessions does it cover?

A Mental Health Treatment Plan currently provides access to up to 10 individual Medicare-rebated sessions per calendar year (1 January–31 December). Your GP will typically refer you for the first 6 sessions. Towards the end of these, your psychologist will send a brief progress report back to your GP — this is a Medicare requirement, not just a formality — and your GP can then refer you for the remaining sessions if that's clinically appropriate.

Does my plan expire?

A Mental Health Treatment Plan doesn't expire on its own, but the number of rebated sessions is capped per calendar year, and you'll usually need a review with your GP to access further sessions or to start a new referral cycle in the new year. If you're not sure where you stand, it's worth checking with your GP or with us rather than assuming.

What if I've been referred by a psychiatrist instead?

A referral letter from a psychiatrist can also enable Medicare rebates for psychology sessions, without a separate Mental Health Treatment Plan being required.