Medicare Rebates:

1. Medicare Allied Health Initiative for Chronic Disease Management (previously known as Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) plans).
   • A referral from a GP is required.
   • GP assesses client´s eligibility for Chronic Disease Management plan and makes referral to Psychologist or Speech Pathologist.
   • Client must have the plan before they can claim a rebate from Medicare.
   • Up to a maximum of five sessions can be claimed per calendar year.
   • The five sessions may be with one health professional or a number of allied health professionals.
2. Better Access to Mental Health Care Initiative
   • Medicare rebates are available for psychological treatment by registered Psychologists. The scheme provides considerable assistance to people living with mental health difficulties, allowing them greater access to Psychologists and providing more affordable mental health care.
   • A referral from a GP, Paediatrician or Psychiatrist is required. Your GP will need to complete a detailed mental health assessment and prepare a Mental Health Treatment Plan before referring you to a Psychologist. A letter from a Paediatrician or Psychiatrist is sufficient.
   • Eligible children can generally receive up to 10 sessions per calendar year (6 initial sessions with a Psychologist, followed by further 4 sessions). Your referring Doctor will assess your progress after the first six sessions.
   • Eligible children can receive up to 10 group therapy services in a calendar year where such services are available and seen as appropriate by your referring Doctor and the Psychologist.
3. Medicare Items under the Helping Children with Autism Package
   • A referral from a Paediatrician or Child Psychiatrist is required.
   • Medicare rebates are available to assist in the diagnosis and initial allied health treatment of children with Autism, where the child is under 13 years of age at the time of diagnosis and under 15 years of age when receiving treatment.
   • Up to 4 Medicare Allied Health Assessment services can be provided by certain allied health professionals including Psychologists and Speech Pathologists.
   • Up to 20 Medicare Allied Health Treatment services can be provided by certain allied health professionals including Psychologists and Speech Pathologists.
4. Better Start for Children with Disability (Better Start) Initiative
   • Children who have been diagnosed with Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Fragile X Syndrome, or a moderate or greater hearing or vision impairment are eligible to access new Medicare items under this initiative.
   • Medicare rebates are available to assist in the diagnosis and initial allied health treatment of children with these disabilities, where the child is under 13 years of age at the time of diagnosis and under 15 years of age when receiving treatment.
   • A referral from a Paediatrician or Child Psychiatrist is required.
   • Up to 4 Medicare Allied Health Assessment services can be provided by certain allied health professionals including Psychologists and Speech Pathologists.
   • Up to 20 Medicare Allied Health Treatment services can be provided by certain allied health professionals including Psychologists and Speech Pathologists.

Early Intervention Funding via Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA)

1. Helping Children with Autism Package
   • Children who are under 6 years of age and have received a diagnosis of an Autism Spectrum Disorder can access funding for an Early Intervention program. The total funding package is $12,000 ($6,000 per financial year for 2 years).
   • Our Early Intervention Program, which includes a Parent program, Behaviour therapy for the child and Speech Pathology and Psychology services all attract FaHCSIA funding. Please click here to find out more about our Early Intervention Services.
2. Better Start for Children with Disability (Better Start) Initiative
   • Children who are aged under 6 years and have been diagnosed with Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Fragile X Syndrome, or a moderate or greater hearing or vision impairment can also access Early Intervention funding up to $12,000 (up to a maximum of $6,000 in any one financial year).
   • Our Early Intervention Program, which includes a Parent program, Behaviour therapy for the child and Speech Pathology and Psychology services all attract FaHCSIA funding. Please click here to find out more about our Early Intervention Services.

Private Health Insurance

• Our clinicians are registered with the major private health funds.
• Speak to your health insurer to find out if you are eligible for a rebate for various allied health services such as Psychology and Speech Pathology.
• At Annie s Centre, we are able to put through the claim immediately if you hold a private health card using our HICAPS system.

Please see the below websites for further information:

• Australian Psychological Society
  http://www.psychology.org.au/medicare/
• Speech Pathology Australia
  http://www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/
• Department of Health & Ageing (Medicare Benefits Schedule)
  http://www.health.gov.au/internet/mbsonline/publishing.nsf/Content/Downloads-201101/
• Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA)
  http://www.fahcsia.gov.au/

Please contact us for more information about rebates and funding or to make an appointment to see one of our clinicians.