Fees & Rebates

 

Denis’s current fee for a 50 minute consultation is $250* at the Fremantle Clinic. Rebates are available through Medicare and private health insurance. Clients who hold a valid health care card may negotiate a reduced fee (usually in the range of 10-20% depending on the individual circumstance) with Denis prior to scheduling an appointment. The Fremantle Clinic offers bulk-billing to long term unemployed and pensioners whereas at CMC these clients pay a small gap fee. ( * discounted from the full fee rate of $280 as recommended by the Australian Psychological Society)

 

Longer 61-90 minute sessions may be required for couple or family therapy, clinical hypnosis or trauma therapy. The fee for a 61-75 minute consultation is $320, 75-90 minute consultation is $390.

Shorter 31-45 minute sessions may be offered for phone consultations for employees (through an Employee Assistance Program), managers, executives or board members (through online coaching/consulting).

 

Insurance Clients. Clients seeking treatment under Motor Vehicle Accident or Workers Compensation Insurance will be charged at the WorkCover rate of $268.25. Invoices will be sent directly to the insurer. The client is liable for the cost of treatment if the claim is not accepted. Please obtain written confirmation of agreement to fund your appointments from your insurance case manager prior to attending your first appointment.

 

Medicare Rebates

 

Medicare Service Clients referred on a GP Mental Health Plan to a specialist Clinical Psychologist are eligible to claim a rebate from Medicare of $131.65 per 50 minute consultation, up to a maximum of 10 sessions per calendar year. To receive this rebate you must be referred by a General Practitioner under the Better Access to Mental Health Care Programme (GP Item 2710). Alternatively you can be referred directly by a Psychiatrist.

 

If you have not already obtained a GP Mental Health Care Plan, attend your GP for a long consult to discuss the issues you are facing. Your GP will then determine if you qualify for a GP Mental Health Care Plan. This involves the GP in: assessment, identifying needs, setting and agreeing on management goals, identifying any action to be taken, selecting appropriate treatment options, and arranging ongoing management and documentation of this plan. Your doctor will lodge the GP Mental Health Care Plan (Item 2710) with Medicare. Once lodged, you may attend your appointments for up to 10 individual services in a calendar year. A review of a GP Mental Health Care Plan (Item 2712) will take place after 6 sessions or when treatment is finished.

 

No matter what you are facing, ask your GP or psychologist if you qualify for a Mental Health Care Plan to resource and assist you in meeting your needs.

 

Health Fund Rebates

 

Private Health Insurance If you have Ancillary Cover with a private health insurance fund, you may claim a rebate for Clinical Psychology services. Clients should contact their relevant health fund for the latest rebate rates quoting the item code for an individual consultation of AO70. Private health rebates cannot be used if referred under Medicare.

 

Denis is registered with the major health funds that cover Clinical Psychology, including MBF, Medibank Private, and other Health Funds. Please note that you will need to check with your health fund as to your exact cover.

 

Please also note that you cannot claim from Medicare and your health fund for the same consultation.

 

Cancellation Fees

 

Please note that we are obliged to charge the following:

 

Full fee for appointments cancelled by you with less than 24 hours notice. 50% for appointments cancelled by you with 24-48 hours notice. You are encouraged to keep your appointment even if you feel bad. Research shows that people who get the most out of therapy regularly attend sessions.

 

Payment Terms

 

All payments are due at the time of the session. Our Fremantle practice has full EFTPOS facilities. We accept all major credit cards except Diners and Amex.

 

For people with Worker’s Compensation and Motor Vehicle Accident Authority claims where the insurer has accepted liability, we are happy to seek pre-approval for the sessions beforehand from the insurer, and to bill them directly.