Better Outcomes in Mental Health Initiative

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Better ACCESS TO Mental Health CARE
Program Manager - Kathleen Ryan Ph. 02 6884 0197

This initiative aims to increase community access to general practitioners, psychiatrists, clinical psychologists and other allied mental health professionals for mental health care.

Better Access - 3 new Medicare Items
Referral Pathways
- Better Access
- ATAPS Referral Pathways
Care Plan
Medicare Registered & ATAPS Contracted Allied Health Providers
Referral to ATAPS Resources
GP fees and Patient Rebates
MBS Item Descriptors
Access to Psychiatrist
- GP Referral to Psychiatrist
- GP Support from Psychiatrist
Important Contacts

Better Access - 3 new Medicare Items
The 'Better Access' Initiative includes three new Medicare items for GPs providing mental health. The 'Better Access' Flowchart sets out these three components in detail.

Referral Pathways

All GPs can refer patients who are being managed under a mental health care plan
GPs can refer to Psychiatrists, Clinical Psychologists, Psychologists, Social Workers and Occupational Therapists
All patients who are assessed as having a Mental Disorder as defined in the MBS are eligible for services under the initiative
There are no mandatory training requirements to access the new GP items

Patient Referral Pathways flowchart Back to top

GPs have the option of two referral pathways to Clinical Psychologists, Psychologists, Social Workers and Occupational Therapists
THE DIVISION RECOMMENDS 'BETTER OUTCOMES - ATAPS' IS UTILISED FOR THOSE PATIENTS WHO DO NOT HAVE THE CAPACITY TO PAY FOR SERVICE UP FRONT
Better Outcomes (ATAPS) - Division contracted Allied Health Providers LOW INCOME PATIENTS ONLY	Better Access - Medicare Registered Allied Health Providers
Training required - Nil	Training required - Nil
Psychologists and Social Workers subcontracted by the Division of General Practice	Psychologists, Social Workers and Occupational Therapists registered with Medicare
Referral using a specific referral form (must be faxed to AHP, is simple and easy to complete)	Referral by letter
Free service	Patients will generally be required to pay for service up front, and claim reimbursement with Medicare minus gap
12 individual sessions in a 12 month period. Delivered in two groups of up to six services, with a review by the referring GP after the first six sessions.	12 individual services in a calendar year in two groups of up to six services, with a review by the referring GP after the first six sessions. In addition, patients can also receive up to 12 group therapy sessions.

Medicare Registered & ATAPS Contracted Allied Health Providers Back to top

ATAPS contracted Allied Health Professionals & Medicare Registered Allied Health Professionals

Referral to ATAPS Resources Back to top

Referral Form (Must be completed and faxed to nominated AHP)
Patient Brochure (to be handed to the patient on referral)
ATAP Templates for Medical Director
ATAPS Allied Health Service Skill Set Register

GP Fees and Patient Rebates

GP Fees and Patient Rebates

MBS Item Descriptors

Access to Psychiatrist

GP Referral to Psychiatrist
Patient Pathways Flowchart
GP Support from Psychiatrist
The access to psychiatrist support is designed to better enable psychiatrists and GPs to participate in case conferencing and for psychiatrist to be available to provide patient management advice to GPs. A free advisory service provided by psychiatrists, to assist you in the provision of mental health care for your patients. The service is funded by the Australian Government as part of the Better Outcomes in Mental Health care (BOIMHC) initiatives.

You can access psychiatrist advice by phone, fax or email.
Phone: Call 1800 200 588 and a mental health professional will ask you some questions about your enquiry, provide you with a case id number and a time when the psychiatrist will call you back.
Fax: A fax back form is available via the phone service. Fax 02 9425 3879 and a psychiatrist will then phone or fax you back.
Email: psychsupport.com.au is a secure, password protected website. Simple call 1800 026 965 for a username and password prior to accessing psychiatrist advice. Then register your questions on the website and a psychiatrist will email you a response.
When you have submitted your question to the service a psychiatrist will reply to you within 24 hours. Participants need to complete the relevant training and be working from a PIP or Accredited practice.

Important Contacts Back to top

Australian Division of General Practice	Australian Division of General Practice
Council of Australian Governments	Council of Australian Governments
Training information (level 1 and level 2) - General Practice Mental Health Standard Collaboration	Mental Health Training

Enhancing General Practice in western NSW

AGED CARE INITIVE

ABORIGINAL HEALTH

CHRONIC DISEASE MANAGEMENT

GP EDUCATION

HOME MEDICINES REVIEW

IMMUNISATIONS

MEDICAL DIRECTOR/BEST PRACTICE TEMPLATES

MENTAL HEALTH

MAHS

Dubbo Plains Division of General Practice
258 - 260 Macquarie Street
PO Box 1834 Dubbo NSW 2830
Phone (02) 6884 0197 Fax (02) 6884 0198
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