Mental Health Treatment Plan Online

A Mental Health Treatment Plan is a structured plan a doctor may prepare when you have an eligible mental health condition and would benefit from ongoing support. It can help you access Medicare-subsidised appointments with eligible mental health professionals. A GP must assess your needs and eligibility first; receiving a plan is never automatic.

What is a Mental Health Treatment Plan?

A Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) is a clinical plan developed with a doctor. It records your concerns, agreed treatment goals, appropriate supports, referral arrangements and when your progress should be reviewed. It can be a helpful starting point if you have been feeling low, anxious, overwhelmed or otherwise concerned about your mental health.

The plan is not a diagnosis by itself, and it does not mean you must receive any particular treatment. Your doctor will discuss options with you and consider what feels workable and safe. Services Australia explains how a plan can connect eligible patients with mental health services.

Who is eligible for a Mental Health Treatment Plan?

Eligibility is based on a clinical assessment, not simply requesting a document. Under the current Better Access rules, patients generally need a clinically diagnosed mental disorder, a moderate level of support, and a likely benefit from structured care. There are also requirements about which doctor can prepare the plan. In general, this is your usual medical practitioner or a GP or prescribed medical practitioner at the practice where you are enrolled in MyMedicare.

If you already see a regular GP, that relationship may be particularly important. A one-off online appointment is not a way to bypass the continuity-of-care rules. Read the official eligibility criteria.

Can a GP prepare a plan by telehealth?

A GP may be able to assess mental health concerns through an appropriate telehealth appointment. They will ask about your symptoms, their duration, daily functioning, medical history, previous treatment and support network. They may also ask sensitive questions about safety. Answering openly helps the doctor identify appropriate next steps.

Whether a plan can be prepared, and whether any Medicare item can be claimed for the consultation, depends on the applicable eligibility and telehealth rules. A doctor may instead recommend assessment with your regular GP, a longer appointment, or in-person care. A short online consultation is not always sufficient.

How many psychology sessions can Medicare help cover?

Eligible patients may claim Medicare benefits for up to 10 individual and 10 group mental health treatment services per calendar year under Better Access. This is a maximum, not an automatic allocation. Your referring doctor typically refers for a first course of up to six individual sessions. Further sessions require a new referral after clinical review, subject to the yearly limit and your needs.

A Medicare rebate is not necessarily the full fee. Psychologists set their own prices, and a gap payment may apply. You should check costs and eligibility with the provider before your appointment. See Services Australia’s referral guidance for the referral-course rules.

What happens after the plan is prepared?

Your doctor should discuss the plan with you and, when appropriate, prepare a referral to an eligible mental health professional. You can contact a psychologist or another suitable provider to confirm availability, service type, costs and whether they accept the referral. The provider usually sends a report after your course of care so the referring doctor can review progress.

You do not need to wait until things feel unbearable to ask for help. If your symptoms change or you feel your current supports are not enough, arrange another medical review.

What if I need urgent mental health support?

Telehealth referral consultations are not an emergency service. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 000 or attend an emergency department. If you are in crisis or need someone to talk to, call Lifeline on 13 11 14, 24 hours a day. You can also contact your regular GP or a local mental health service for ongoing support.

Where to go next

Explore psychologist referrals, specialist referrals, Doccio consultations.

Book a Doccio doctor consultation: Book online. Consultations cost $59 during business hours or $79 after hours. The doctor reviews your symptoms, previous care and available records before deciding whether a referral, request or care plan is clinically appropriate. Doccio is not an automatic letter-writing service; booking a consultation does not guarantee a referral or approval.