Better Access initiative for mental health treatment and support
The Australian Government’s Better Access to Psychiatrists, Psychologists and General Practitioners through the Medicare Benefits Schedule initiative aims to improve outcomes for patients with a clinically diagnosed mental disorder through evidence-based treatment.
Treatment services under the initiative are for patients who require at least a moderate level of mental health support.
A Medicare benefit is payable for mental health treatment plan (MHTP) preparation or review, and referrals for treatment services.
This applies when a patient has seen a GP or eligible prescribed medical practitioner (PMP) at their usual practice. MyMedicare registration is not a prerequisite.
- These requirements do not affect patients referred via a psychiatrist assessment and management plan, or by direct referral from an eligible psychiatrist or paediatrician.
- The initiative means 12 GP and PMP MHTP review items have been removed from the MBS. They are 2712, 92114, 92126, 277, 92120, 92132, 2713, 92115, 92127, 279, 92121 and 92133.
MBS benefits for the review of MHTPs, mental health referral and ongoing support for people with an assessed mental disorder are available through general attendance items. Further details can be viewed at MBS Online here.
The changes to do not affect focused psychological strategies. These continue to be available to any patient from any eligible GP or PMP who has training recognised by the General Practice Mental Health Standards Collaboration.
Telehealth
The MyMedicare and usual medical practitioner requirements apply to GP and PMP telehealth items for MHTPs. These services are no longer exempt from the established clinical relationship rule.
Further information is contained in explanatory note AN.1.1 on MBS Online.
Why have these changes been made?
Removal of the MBS items provides GPs and PMPs greater flexibility to use the most appropriate time-tiered professional (general) attendance item. These include longer consultations and, where applicable, the triple bulk billing incentive.
More information and practitioner resources
The Better Access Mental Health MBS User Guide provides examples of how to use relevant MBS items to meet the requirements of the Better Access initiative, including links to the MBS items and MBS Online explanatory notes.
A range of fact sheets, and frequently asked questions, are available on this Department of Health, Disability and Ageing page.
