Since January 2020, two item groups have been added to the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) to support anyone whose mental health has been affected by the ongoing bushfire disaster in the 2019-2020 financial year.
Find out more about these two item groups and related changes on the MBS website, where you can also read the FAQs and download the factsheet.
New Groups:
Group A39
12 new items, including 4 telehealth items, for GPs and medical providers: MBS items 91721, 91723, 91725, 91727, 91729, 91731, 91283, 91285, 91286, 91287, 91371 and 91372
Group M17
24 new items, including 8 telehealth items, for:
- Clinical psychologists: MBS items 91000, 91001, 91005, 91010, 91011 and 91015
- Eligible psychologists: MBS items 91100, 91101, 91105, 91110, 91111 and 91115
- Occupational therapists: MBS items 91125, 91126, 91130, 91135, 91136 and 91140
- Social workers: MBS items 91150, 91151, 91155, 91160, 91161 and 91165
Highlights
- Medicare rebates available for up to 10 individual sessions in a calendar year
- The 10 sessions can be made of any combinations of services
- Separate to the existing Better Access initiative
- No referrals needed – Clients can request a service directly from an eligible practitioner
- Can be used for telehealth services with no distance restriction
Resource for Clients
Share this page by Services Australia with your clients to help explain how they can access support if they have been affected by the bushfires.