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DVA Program | Better Access to Mental Health Care Initiative | New Mental Health MBS Item 2702 | 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
New Mental Health MBS item 2702
From 1 January 2010 a new MBS item 2702 (Mental Heath Care Treatment Plan) will be introduced for GPs who have not completed accredited MHST.
- GPs who have completed accredited MHST since 1 July 2001 and attendance has been registered with General Practice Mental Health Standards Collaboration (GPMHSC) will continue to be able to access item 2710.
- The requirements for the new item 2702 are the same as for item 2710.
- If a GP who is not registered with Medicare as having completed MHST claims a 2710, the claim will be rejected and will not automatically default to a 2702 item.
The GPMHSC has provided Medicare with a list of GPs who have completed the requisite training and are therefore eligible to access item 2710. Medicare will inform GPs of their eligibility to claim item 2710. Department of Health and Ageing (DoHA) has advised that once a GP completes MHST they should hold accounts for item 2710 until they receive the confirmation of eligibility from Medicare and then submit these claims to Medicare.
If you are unsure if you have completed an accredited MHST or consider you have gained the requisite mental health skills listed for mental health skills training, please email the
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or phone (03) 8699 0554.
Several MHST online options are available and the Division will be running face to face MHST. Please contact Ellie Archer for more information and refer to the education calendar.
- DoHA Fact Sheet 1 - Implementation of Mental Health Skills Training For General Practitioners: 2009-10 Budget Measure
- DoHA Fact Sheet 2 – Implementation of Mental Health Skills Training For General Practitioners: 2009-10 Budget Measure – New Medicare Item
- MHST On-line Options - The Division has compiled a number of MHST options that you can complete on line.
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 – Mental Health Nurse Service 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
The Mental Health Services Helpline: 1800 332 388 free call within Tasmania:
- 24 hour a day/ 7 day a week service for mental health crisis
- Operates as a statewide service reaching all regions of Tasmania available to all ages
- Staffed by a team of mental health clinicians who gather referral information and make an initial assessment of the patient
- Provides assistance to access other services
- Single and preferred entry point and contact for all DHHS Mental Health Services.
All referrals of new patients to Mental Health Services should be done via the Mental Health Services Helpline. For those who prefer written referrals, these can be faxed to: (03) 6236 5788. This includes referral to Older Persons Mental Health Service, Adult Community Mental Health Service, and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service.
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.
Websites and Resources
- Beyond Blue
- AGPN Mental Health Program
- The Right Mix - Your health and alcohol The Right Mix: Your health and alcohol was originally developed by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) in 2001, primarily to help those in the veteran community to recognise drinking that is above low-risk levels. DVA has just revised The Right Mix website and information kit to reflect changes to the newly developed Australian Guidelines to Reduce Health Risks from Drinking Alcohol, 2009 released by the National Health and Medical Research Council (MHMRC) earlier this year. The key message from The Right Mix is about getting a balance with alcohol, diet and exercise to achieve a healthier and more enjoyable lifestyle. The Right Mix website has new interactive tools to help provide practical information and strategies to cut down drinking. Many of the available resources can be ordered at no cost from the website.
- National Drug & Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC)
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