Important changes for general practices to Bulk Billing Incentives and the Better Access Initiative (including Mental Health Treatment Plans) commenced on 1 November 2025.
For all the changes to the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) from 1 November 2025, refer to MBS Online November 2025 news.
Bulk Billing Incentive Changes
From 1 November 2025 every general practice will benefit from expanded eligibility for MBS bulk billing incentives to all Australians with a Medicare card. Previously these incentives were limited to children under 16 years of age and patients with a Commonwealth concession card.
Additionally, from 1 November practices have the option to register and participate in the new Bulk Billing Practice Incentive Program (BBPIP). Practices must register for MyMedicare to participate in BBPIP, and there is an exemption for general practices that are not yet registered with MyMedicare.
- Information about how to register for BBPIP is available here.
- Newly released guidelines for BBPIP are available here.
- Updated BBPIP FAQs available here.
- Additional resources to support your practice when discussing bulk billing with patients including; poster, DL brochure, and talking points for general practice teams.
- New information on both of these bulk billing measures is now available on the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website and MBS Online including frequently asked questions, and details on eligible MBS services. Information on MBS Online about Bulk Billing Incentives can be found here.
Better Access Initiative changes (including Mental Health Treatment Plans)
From 1 November 2025, there are also changes to the Better Access to Psychiatrists, Psychologists and General Practitioners Initiative through the Medicare Benefits Schedule, including:
- A Medicare benefit will be payable for MHTP preparation, referrals for treatment services and reviews of a MHTP when a patient has seen:
- a GP or PMP at the general practice in which the patient is enrolled in MyMedicare, or
- regardless of whether the patient is enrolled in MyMedicare, by the patient’s usual medical practitioner.
- These requirements do not affect patients who have been referred via a Psychiatrist Assessment and Management Plan or by a direct referral from an eligible psychiatrist or eligible paediatrician.
- GP and PMP MHTP review items (2712, 92114, 92126, 277, 92120, and 92132) and GP and PMP ongoing mental health consultation items (2713, 92115, 92127, 279, 92121 and 92133) will be removed from the MBS.
- Further details can be viewed at MBS Online here.
Key points:
- Removal of the 12 review and mental health consultation items provides GPs and PMPs greater flexibility to use the most appropriate time-tiered professional (general) attendance item, reflecting the time spent with patients. This includes items for longer consultations and, where applicable, the triple bulk billing incentive to review MHTPs and deliver mental health care and support to patients.
- Any MHTP referral dated prior to 1 November 2025 will remain valid until all treatment services specified in the referral (within the maximum session limit for the course of treatment) have been delivered to the patient.
- The MyMedicare and usual medical practitioner requirements will also apply to GP/PMP telehealth items for MHTPs, with these services no longer exempt from the established clinical relationship rule. Further information on the GP MBS telehealth (video and phone) established clinical relationship criteria and exemptions will be available from 1 November 2025 in explanatory note AN.1.1 on MBS Online.
- New Fact Sheets are available on the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing webpage here.
- Better Access fact sheet – patients | Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
- Better Access – Involving family or carers in my mental health treatment | Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
- Better Access fact sheet – professionals | Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
- Better Access Telehealth frequently asked questions | Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
- Better Access Cessation of the additional 10 sessions | Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
- Better Access Initiative FAQs has been updated here: Frequently Asked Questions: Better Access to Psychiatrists, Psychologists and General Practitioners through the MBS initiative | Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
- These changes to do not affect focussed psychological strategies which can continue to be available to any patient from any eligible GP and eligible PMP who has the appropriate training recognised by the General Practice Mental Health Standards Collaboration.
- Treatment services referred to under the Better Access Initiative are for patients who require at least a moderate level of mental health support. Information on other free or low-cost Commonwealth funded mental health treatment services can be found at: Medicare Mental Health or contact your PHN for referral options in your region or to learn more about the Stepped Care Model.
If you need support, please contact us at primarycare@nwmphn.org.au
You can find more information about MyMedicare here.
