referrals

YES

• If you want to claim a rebate for your psychology sessions under Medicare then you need a Mental Health Care Plan and referral from a General Practitioner (GP).
• If you have a claim approved through WorkSafe, you will also need a referral letter from your GP.
• Any third party organisation that refers you for psychological treatment or a neuropsychological assessment will need to provide a referral letter and written approval for funding the services requested.
• If you are being referred by a psychiatrist or another specialist you will need a referral letter from them.

Please read the Referrals Checklist below for the referral information required.

NO

• If you are referring yourself privately, that is, paying for sessions in full via EFTPOS or credit card you do not need a referral.  

You do not need a referral from a medical practitioner to qualify for private health insurance rebates. 

There are different referral pathways available: 

• Transport Accident Commission (TAC) - in consultation with your support coordinators
• Medicare - a Mental Health Care Plan from your GP
• Private Referral - using Health Insurance or self-funded sessions
• WorkSafe Victoria - in consultation with your claims manager as well as a GP referral letter
• National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) - Self Managed clients only

If a funding body is involved, written approval for psychology and neuropsychology services is required prior to appointments being made. 

Please Note:  Brain Care Health does not provide behaviour support services to NDIS clients.

In order to claim Medicare rebates for your psychology sessions you will need to have a valid Medicare card. 

You will need to get a referral letter or a mental health plan from your GP before you attend your session to access Medicare rebates. 

# Please bring your medicare card with you to every appointment.  Otherwise, you will need to pay for the session in full. You will be emailed a receipt so that you can claim through Medicare online or at an office at another time.

Psychiatrists can refer to psychologists for Medicare-eligible services without a mental health care plan. However, you do require a referral letter from your specialist with all the relevant information. 

Please read the Referrals Checklist below for the referral information required.

Referral to Brain Care Health requires the following information:

• Referral Date
• Client's Name
• Client's Date of Birth
• Client's Address
• Client's Telephone Number or Guardian's name and number 
• Medicare card number
• Private Health Insurer member number 
• Client claim number (if applicable)
• Referral Question (if applicable)
• History of presenting issues 
• Background information relevant to referral
• Diagnosis (if applicable)
• Request for Services under Better Access (if applicable)
• Number of Sessions Requested (if applicable)
• Referring Practitioner's Medicare Provider Number
• Practitioner's Signature

Contact us via email to book an appointment.