In a bid to meet the current demand for free/low cost counselling sessions to our community, MGPN has now opened its Better Access Service (BAS). This Service allows GPs to refer patients, for whom the MBS item 2715, 2717, 2700 or 2701 has been claimed, to be seen for 6-10 free sessions. There is no difference between the BAS  and the BOiMH program to the client.

Better Access to Psychiatrists, Psychologists and General Practitioners (Better Access)

Better access allows GPs and psychologists who are registered with Medicare to provide mental health care through the Medicare Benefits Schedule. The Better Access allows for a team-based approach to mental health care. The GP Mental Health Care Plan (Item 2715, 2717, 2700 or 2701) provides a structure for the intervention, assessment and treatment of patients. GPs will be able to review patients using GP Mental Health Review (Item 2712 or 2719) and provide further consultations, if required with GP Mental Health Consultation (Item 2713).

Important Points:

•  Patients can receive up to 10 sessions from a psychologist or allied health professional within one calendar year.  
  
•  Better Access items do not require practice accreditation.
• While Mental Health Skills Training is not required to provide Better Access items (under item 2700 or 2701), GPs wishing to claim item 2715 or 2717 (with an increased rebate amount) need to have completed approved Mental Health Skills Training.

Rebates and Schedule Fees (Nov 2011):

The following list of disorders are considered as mental disorders in the use of the Better Access MBS items:

•  Chronic psychotic disorders 
  
•  Panic disorder 
  
•  Acute psychotic disorders 
  
•  Alcohol use disorders 
  
•  Schizophrenia 
  
•  Drug use disorders 
  
•  Bipolar disorder 
  
•  Mixed anxiety and depression 
  
•  Phobic disorders 
  
•  Dissociative (conversion) disorder 
  
•  Generalised anxiety disorder 
  
•  Neurasthenia 
  
•  Adjustment disorder 
  
•  Sleep problems 
  
•  Unexplained somatic complaints 
  
•  Hyperkinetic (attention deficit) Depression disorder 
  
•  Sexual disorder 
  
•  Enuresis (non-organic) 
  
•  Conduct disorder 
  
•  Obsessive Compulsive Disorder 
  
•  Bereavement disorders 
  
•  Mental disorder, not otherwise specified 
  
•  Post Traumatic Stress Disorder specified 
  
•  Eating disorders.
  

Preparation of GP Mental Health Care Plan

Preparation of a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan  involves both assessing the patient and preparing the GP Mental Health Care Plan document.

Assessment

An assessment of a patient must include:

•  recording the patient’s agreement for the GP Mental Health Treatment Plan service; 
  
•  taking relevant history (biological, psychological, social) including the presenting complaint; 
  
•  conducting a mental state examination; 
  
•  assessing associated risk and any co-morbidity; 
  
•  making a diagnosis and/or formulation; and 
  
•  administering an outcome measurement tool, except where it is considered clinically inappropriate.
  

Plan

Preparation of a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan must include:

•  discussing the assessment with the patient, including the mental health formulation and/or diagnosis
  
•  identifying and discussing referral and treatment options with the patient, including appropriate support services 
  
•  agreeing goals with the patient – what should be achieved by the treatment - and any actions the patient will take 
  
•  provision of psycho-education 
  
•  a plan for crisis intervention and/or for relapse prevention, if appropriate at this stage 
  
•  making arrangements for required referrals, treatment, appropriate support services, review and follow-up and 
  
•  documenting this (results of assessment, patient needs, goals and actions, referrals and required treatment/services, and review date) in the patient’s GP Mental Health Treatment Plan.
  

For more information

Please contact:

Julie Borninkhof
Psychological Services Manager
Phone: (03) 9347 1188
Email: julie.borninkhof@mgpn.com.au