Aims of the Better Access initiative
The Better Access initiative aims to:
- encourage more GPs to participate in early intervention, assessment and management of patients with mental disorders and to streamline access to appropriate psychological interventions in primary care;
- encourage private psychiatrists to see more patients;
- provide referral pathways for appropriate treatment of patients with mental disorders including treatment by eligible clinical psychologists, psychologists and accredited social workers and occupational therapists;
- provide eligible patients with up to 12 Medicare rebates for up to 12 individual and 12 group-based therapy sessions per calendar year; and
- support GPs and primary care providers with education and training to better diagnose and treat mental disorders.
For more information, visit the Department of Health and Ageing website at http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/mental-ba
Resources
Resources relevant to the Better Access to Psychiatrists, Psychologists and General Practitioners through the Medicare Benefits Schedule (Better Access) initiative have been sourced from the Federal Government Department of Health and Ageing website.
General Resources
Medicare Subsidised Primary Care Mental Health Services Fact Sheet
General Practice
FACT SHEET-Implementation of Mental Health Skills Training for General Practitioners:2009-2010 Budget Measure
FACT SHEET-Medicare GP Mental Health Care items
MBS item descriptors for GP Mental Health Care Plans
MBS items explanatory notes-GP Mental Health Care items
GP Mental Health Care Medicare Items-Questions and Answers
GP Mental Health Care Plan (MBS item number 2710) Patient Assessment template
Allied Health
MBS item descriptors for Psychologists and Allied Health
MBS item explanatory notes for Allied Health
Allied Health MBS FAQ’s