A Mental Health Treatment Plan (previously known as a ‘mental health care plan’) is a plan for people with a mental health disorder. If you have mental health issues, your doctor can write a plan for you.

The plan identifies what type of health care you need and spells out what you and your doctor have agreed you are aiming to achieve. It may also refer you to local mental health services.

Visit your doctor who will assess whether you have a mental health disorder and will benefit from a Mental Health Treatment Plan. Your doctor will ask a few questions, fill in the plan and you will set goals together.

If you have a Mental Health Treatment Plan, you will be entitled to Medicare rebates for up to 20 individual psychological appointments per calendar year. This gives you access — subsidised by Medicare — to certain psychologists, occupational therapists and social workers.

You can’t get Medicare rebates for all the sessions in one go. After your first 6 appointments, you need to see your doctor again for a mental health plan review. They can then decide if you need a referral for further sessions.