Making Mental Health Treatment Plans more accessible via telehealth

MEDIA RELEASE

More than 2.1 million Australians have accessed a Mental Health Treatment Plan in 2022. These plans enable Australians with mental health issues to access a certain number of Medicare funded psychology sessions per annum. Medicare currently pays over $100 for GPs to arrange this referral for a patient seeking sessions with a psychologist. 

Right now, an MHTP (previously known as a mental health care plan) is only accessible via a physical consultation with a doctor or psychologist. Eligible patients are granted an initial 10 Medicare subsidised sessions a year, but can access up to 20 sessions if required. 

But according to research from the Klein Partnership commissioned by InstantScripts, more than half of the Australian population would prefer a telephone consultation over a face to face consultation because it is ‘faster than seeing a doctor’, as well as more discreet. The survey of 1,400 respondents also found 48% preferred the convenience of not leaving home and 33% said it saves time compared to seeing a doctor. Only 15% were deterred by a lack of bulk billing. 

But a recent study by the Australian Bureau of Statistics also found 5% of Australians put off seeing a GP due to waiting time or cost.

“There is genuine frustration for many patients who come to us in need of mental health support, only to be told we can’t assess them for the Mental Health Treatment Plan”, InstantScripts Founder Dr Asher Freilich said. 

“Our GPs can only do so much for them until they can make a physical appointment with their GP, which as we know is becoming increasingly difficult, especially in regional and remote communities where some towns are without a single doctor” Dr Freilich said. “Our doctors would happily facilitate a Mental Health Treatment Plan without requiring a Medicare incentive on our end. We just want our patients to get easier access to psychologists, we don’t need the incentive payment”.

According to InstantScripts Medical Director Dr Andrew Thompson, having a consultation over the phone can be a lot less intimidating for a patient when seeking help for their mental health. 

“It takes great courage to even book in with a GP to discuss it in the first place, so being able to jump online can help alleviate that anxiety” Dr Andrew Thompson said. “Our Australian registered doctors are equipped to carry out the assessment of a patient to determine their eligibility for the Mental Health Treatment Plan, give an accurate diagnosis and set treatment goals” he said. 

Digital healthcare providers are speaking with the Health Department which is currently conducting a review of the MHCP about the benefits of unlocking it for telehealth, drastically speeding up the process for Australians who are experiencing problems accessing a GP. 

Innovative operators such as InstantScripts are looking to increase the productivity of primary care services, while also providing a mechanism for GPs who don’t wish to work full time or in a face to face setting to continue to provide effective and meaningful primary care to everyday Australians. 

InstantScripts is also announcing a joint partnership with online psychology platform My Mirror, to offer patients further assistance in accessing mental health care. 

ENDS 

References 

National Patient Experiences Survey 2020-21, Australian Bureau of Statistics 

https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/health-services/patient-experiences/latest-release

Further information: 

Jessica Ridley 

BTW Media 

[email protected]