Medicare Benefits Schedule - Note MN.8.1

Medicare benefits are available for non-directive pregnancy support counselling services provided to a person who is pregnant or who has been pregnant in the 12 months preceding the first service to which item 81000, 81005 or 81010 applies in relation to that pregnancy.  Services can be provided either by an eligible GP or by an eligible psychologist, social worker or mental health nurse on referral from a GP. 

The term 'GP' is used hereafter as a generic reference to medical practitioners (including a general practitioner, but not including a specialist or consultant physician).  

The items may be used to address any pregnancy related issues for which non-directive counselling is appropriate. 

Related Items: 81000 81005 81010

• Previous - Note MN.7.5
• Next - Note MN.8.2

Provision of a non-directive pregnancy support counselling service to a person who is currently pregnant or who has been pregnant in the preceding 12 months, by an eligible psychologist, where the patient is referred to the psychologist by a medical practitioner (including a general practitioner, but not a specialist or consultant physician), and lasting at least 30 minutes. The service may be used to address any pregnancy related issues for which non-directive counselling is appropriate.

This service may be provided by a psychologist who is registered with Medicare Australia as meeting the credentialling requirements for provision of this service.  It may not be provided by a psychologist who has a direct pecuniary interest in a health service that has as its primary purpose the provision of services for pregnancy termination.

To a maximum of three non-directive pregnancy support counselling services per patient, per pregnancy from any of the following items -81000, 81005, 81010 and 4001

Fee: $77.30 Benefit: 85% = $65.75

(See para MN.8.1, MN.8.2, MN.8.3, MN.8.4 of explanatory notes to this Category)

Provision of a non-directive pregnancy support counselling service to a person who is currently pregnant or who has been pregnant in the preceding 12 months, by an eligible social worker, where the patient is referred to the social worker by a medical practitioner (including a general practitioner, but not a specialist or consultant physician), and lasting at least 30 minutes. The service may be used to address any pregnancy related issues for which non-directive counselling is appropriate.

This service may be provided by a social worker who is registered with Medicare Australia as meeting the credentialling requirements for provision of this service.  It may not be provided by a social worker who has a direct pecuniary interest in a health service that has as its primary purpose the provision of services for pregnancy termination.

To a maximum of three non-directive pregnancy support counselling services per patient, per pregnancy from any of the following items -81000, 81005, 81010 and 4001

Fee: $77.30 Benefit: 85% = $65.75

(See para MN.8.1, MN.8.2, MN.8.3, MN.8.4 of explanatory notes to this Category)

Provision of a non-directive pregnancy support counselling service to a person who is currently pregnant or who has been pregnant in the preceding 12 months, by an eligible mental health nurse, where the patient is referred to the mental health nurse by a medical practitioner (including a general practitioner, but not a specialist or consultant physician), and lasting at least 30 minutes. The service may be used to address any pregnancy related issues for which non-directive counselling is appropriate.

This service may be provided by a mental health nurse who is registered with Medicare Australia as meeting the credentialling requirements for provision of this service.  It may not be provided by a mental health nurse who has a direct pecuniary interest in a health service that has as its primary purpose the provision of services for pregnancy termination.

To a maximum of three non-directive pregnancy support counselling services per patient, per pregnancy from any of the following items - 81000, 81005, 81010 and 4001

Fee: $77.30 Benefit: 85% = $65.75

(See para MN.8.1, MN.8.2, MN.8.3, MN.8.4 of explanatory notes to this Category)