Medicare Benefits Schedule - Item 80020

Professional attendance for the purpose of providing psychological therapy for a mental disorder by a clinical psychologist registered with Medicare Australia as meeting the credentialing requirements for provision of this service, lasting for at least 60 minutes duration where the patients are referred by a medical practitioner, as part of a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan or as part of a shared care plan; or referred by a medical practitioner (including a general practitioner, but not a specialist or consultant physician) who is managing the patient under a referred psychiatrist assessment and management plan; or referred by a specialist or consultant physician in the practice of his or her field of psychiatry or paediatrics.

These therapies are time limited, being deliverable in up to ten planned sessions in a calendar year (including services to which items 80020, 80021, 80120, 80121, 80145, 80146, 80170 and 80171 apply).

GROUP THERAPY with a group of 6 to 10 patients, EACH PATIENT

Fee: $39.30 Benefit: 85% = $33.45

(See para MN.6.1 of explanatory notes to this Category)

Extended Medicare Safety Net Cap: $117.90

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OVERVIEW

The Better Access to Psychiatrists, Psychologists and General Practitioners through the Medicare Benefits Schedule initiative commenced on 1 November 2006.  Under the Better Access initiative MBS items provide Medicare benefits for the following allied mental health services:

• psychological therapy (items 80000 to 80021) - provided by eligible clinical psychologists; and
• focussed psychological strategies - allied mental health (items 80100 to 80171) - provided by eligible psychologists, occupational therapists and social workers.

Related Items: 80000 80005 80010 80015 80020