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DVA Program | Better Access to Mental Health Care Initiative | Changes to Better Access : Federal Budget 2011-12| Better Outcomes in Mental Health Care Program | Mental Health Nurses Incentive Program |
Mental Health Services | Websites and Resources
Program Outline
The mental health program aims to increase the knowledge and skills of GPs in diagnosing and managing people
with mental health illness by providing the following support:
- Increased access to mental health services to assist in the provision of quality patient care
- Facilitation of collaborative communication between Division, GPs and key stakeholders
- Provision of mental health interdisciplinary network opportunity
- Provision of CPD events and training
- Provision of information and support to assist GPs in accessing new item numbers and initiatives.
Program Activities
Changes to Better Access : Federal Budget 2011-12
The Department of Health and Ageing (DoHA) released a further two fact sheets regarding the changes to the
Better Access Initiative in November 2011:
- New Medicare Items for GP Mental Health Treatment Plans
- Allied Mental Health Services under The Better Access Initiative
These changes were announced in the 2011-2012 Federal Budget and are now in effect as from 1 November 2011. The changes are reflected in the November 2011 Medicare Benefits Schedule.
Key points: New Medicare Items for GP Mental Health Treatment Plans
From 1 November 2011, Medicare items 2702 and 2710 for the preparation of a GP mental health treatment plan (GPMHTP) will be removed from the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) and replaced with four new time-tiered
items – 2700, 2701, 2715 and 2717.
The table below shows pre and post November 2011 and the changes to GPMHTP item numbers.
| Pre 1 November 2011 |
Post 1 November 2011 |
MBS item 2702:
Preparation of a GP mental health
treatment plan by a GP who has not
undertaken mental health skills training* |
MBS item 2700:
Preparation of a GP mental health treatment plan by a
GP who has not undertaken mental health skills training*,
lasting at least 20 mins (20-39 mins)
MBS item 2701:
Preparation of a GP mental health treatment plan by a
GP who has not udnertaken mental health skills training*,
lasting at least 40 mins (40 mins+)
|
MBS item 2710:
Preparation of a GP mental health
treatment plan who has undertaken
mental health skills training* |
MBS item 2715:
Preparation of a GP mental health treatment plan by a
GP who has undertaken mental health skills training*,
lasting at least 20 mins (20-39 mins)
MBS item 2717:
Preparation of a GP mental health treatment plan by a
GP who has undertaken mental health skills training*,
lasting at least 40 mins (40 mins+)
|
*All GPs are able to access the GP mental health treatment items. GPs who have completed mental health skills training accredited by the General Practice Mental Health Standards Collaboration (GPMHSC) are able to access items 2715 and 2717 which attract a higher schedule fee. GPs who have not completed mental heatlh skills training must develop mental health treament plans under item 2700 or 2701. Please refer to the MBS online for current rebate levels at www.mbsonline.gov.au.
Although it is not mandatory to complete training in order to access the GP Mental Health Treatment items, it is strongly recommended that GPs providing mental health care have completed appropriate mental health training (in addition to normal medical training), such as training recognised through the GPMHSC.
Templates:
General Practice North and Tasmania Medicare Local are in the process of updating the current GP Mental Health Treatment Plan template (2710/2702) to align with the new Medicare items. Practices will be notified via Wednesday fax when the updated template is available to download from the Clinical Templates section of General Practice North website.
Mental Health Skills Training:
If you are unsure if you have completed an accredited MHST or consider you have gained the requisite mental health skills for mental health skill training, please contact the GPMHSC by phone: (03) 8699 0554 or email:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
. For a list of online options for GPs to compete MHST visit http://www.gpnorth.com.au/events/educational-opportunities.
Key Points: Allied Mental Health Services under The Better Access Initiative
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From 1 November 2011, Medicare rebates for eligible people with a diagnosed mental disorder under the Better Access initiative will be capped at 10 individual allied mental health services per calendar year, from 12. Individuals may also be referred for up to 10 group services per calendar year in addition to their individual allied mental health services.
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Individuals who have already accessed 10 or more individual and/or 10 or more group services by 1 November 2011 will not be eligible for additional services until 1 January 2012.
Further information is available from:
Please ensure your practice team is aware of these changes as appropriate and do not hesitate to contact Tasmania Medicare Local for further information if required.
The above information has been derived from Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing website and fact sheets, December 2011.
Better Access to Mental Health Care Initiative
The Better Access to Psychiatrists, Psychologists and General Practitioners through the Medicare Benefits Schedule (Better Access) initiative was introduced in 2006.
The purpose of the Better Access initiative is to improve treatment and management of mental illness within the community. The Better Access initiative is increasing community access to mental health professionals and team-based mental health care, with general practitioners encouraged to work more closely and collaboratively with psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, psychologists, social workers and occupational therapists.
Resources developed by AGPN to support the implementation of the General Practitioner component of the Better Access to Mental Health Care Initiative:
Outcomes Measurement Tools
Below are resources or links to resources developed by the Department of Health & Ageing:
Better Outcomes in Mental Health Care Program
The Better Outcomes in Mental Health Care Program (Better Outcomes) is an initiative of the Commonwealth Government and was introduced in 2001.
The program aims to improve community access to quality primary mental health care by recognising the important role of GPs in managing mental health problems and enabling team arrangements for referral of patients to allied health services.
A component of the Better Outcomes Program is the Access to Allied Psychological Services (ATAPS), which enables GPs to refer patients to allied health professionals who deliver focused psychological strategies. ATAPS is available at General Practice North. For more information please refer to Allied Health Services – Psychological Services for further information on GP North service and program guidelines.
Mental Health Nurses Incentive Program
The Mental Health Nurses Incentive program provides a non-MBS incentive payment to general practices, private psychiatrist services and other appropriate community providers (including general practice networks) to engage or retain mental health nurses to assist in the provision of coordinated clinical care for people, in the community, with severe mental health disorders.
Please refer to Allied Health Services – Mental Health Nurse Service for further information on GP North service and program guidelines.
DVA Program
The Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service (VVCS) is the key specialised service for the veteran community with mental health needs. For information refer to the following websites and the mental health services section:
Mental Health Services
Northern Tasmania Private Psychologist Website:
The Psychologists in private practice in the Launceston area have developed a website to assist with referrals. www.northtaspsychologists.com . The website provides:
- Psychologist contact/practice details, areas of interest/expertise and the types of clients they see (individuals, children, etc.)
- Current availability of each psychologist to take new referrals.
- Links to other sites that provide additional relevant information to GPs. (eg. Medicare, The Australian Psychological Society).
Mental Health Social Workers
The Mental Health Social Workers in the Launceston area have developed an information flyer.
Accredited Mental Health Social Workers in private practice are eligible to provide services through the Commonwealth funded Better Access to Mental Health Care and Chronic Disease Management (Team care Arrangements) programs. Social Workers are also providers in the Better Outcomes in Mental Health Initiative.
For more information go to the AASW website and click the public then Medicare section or Mental Health Social Workers (Medicare Registered) - Northern Tasmania (pdf version).
Veterans & Veterans Families Counselling Service (formerly known as Vietnam Veterans Counselling Service)
VVCS is a specialised, free and confidential Australia-wide counselling and support service for Australian veterans, peacekeepers, their families and eligible Australian Defence Services (ADF) personnel. GPs can refer by phone, written referral or recommend patient self referral. For more information visit the VVCS website or phone 6331 1923 or 1800 011 046.
Useful Resources
Department of Health and Human Services Mental Health Services and Mental Health Services Helpline
The MHS Helpline provides the following services:
- 24 hour a day/ 7 day a week service for mental health crisis
- Free call within Tasmania available to all ages
- Operates as a statewide service reaching all regions of Tasmania by mental health professionals who provide advice and help to arrange mental health assessment and intervention for people in need
- Provides help to access alternative services for those with needs outside of Mental Health Services
- Advice and education to all persons requiring information about mental health issues
- Point of contact for GPs and other agencies referring a patient to Metnal Health (Child and Adolescent, Adult Community, and older Persons Mental Health Services).
All referrals of new patients to Mental Health Services should be done via the Mental Health Services Helpline.
Referral options:
- Phone: 1800 332 388
- Fax to 6236 5788 a written referral and/or a Mental Health Services Helpline referral form available to download from www.gpnorth.com.au in the following formats:
- Mental Health Services Helpline referral form - PDF
- Medical Software Templates
- Mental Health services Helpline Referral - Medical Director: Mental Health Services helpline Statewide Referral for medical Director (NB: *please adjust the margins when importing the template [file] [page setup] and set all margins to "10")
- Mental Health Services Helpline Referral - Best Practice Software: Mental Health Services Helpline Statewide Referral for Best Practice Software.
GP Psych Support
For free, fast response, telephone, fax and web support service www.psychsupport.com.au.
The GP Psych Support service provides GPs with patient management advice from psychiatrists within 24 hours. GP Psych Support provides advice in the following areas of psychiatry:
- General adult psychiatry
- Child & adolescent psychiatry
- Old age psychiatry
- Drug and alcohol psychiatry
Accessing GP Psych Support is easy:
- Free Phone: 1800 200 588. You will be asked some brief questions concerning your enquiry and a psychiatrist will call you back within 24 hours
- Free Fax: 1800 012 422. Using the faxback form provide details regarding the issue for discussion. A psychiatrist will then fax or phone you to discuss case details.
- Email: www.psychsupport.com.au is a secure and password protected website. Log in and submit your questions online. For your username and password, call 1800 200 588.
Launceston Therapy Clinic
The Launceston Therapy Clinic provides psychological assessment and therapy services for adults, adolescents, children and their families. The Clinical Psychologists and Occupational Therapists at the Launceston Therapy Clinic are dedicated to the well-being of our clients and offer a comfortable and respectful environment. For more information visit the Launceston Therapy Clinic website or phone (03) 6331 4664.
Websites and Resources
Contact
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