Yes, a Mental Health Treatment Plan (commonly called a mental health care plan) can be prepared by a GP during a bulk billed telehealth consultation. The plan unlocks Medicare rebates for up to 10 individual sessions per calendar year with a psychologist, accredited mental health social worker, or occupational therapist. For eligible Medicare cardholders, the GP consultation that produces the plan is bulk billed at no out-of-pocket cost. Some eligibility rules apply (see below).
What is a mental health care plan?
A mental health care plan is a GP-prepared treatment plan for people experiencing mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, grief, stress, or insomnia. It is created under Medicare item numbers 2715 (for a standard plan) or 2717 (for a brief plan).
Once you have a plan, Medicare subsidises up to 10 individual sessions with a registered psychologist, social worker, or occupational therapist per calendar year. Without a plan, you would need to pay the full fee for these sessions out of pocket.
The plan itself does not cost you anything if your GP consultation is bulk billed.
Can I get a mental health care plan via telehealth?
Yes. GPs can prepare mental health care plans during telehealth consultations, by video or phone, with an AHPRA-registered doctor.
The clinical process is the same as an in-person appointment. Your GP will ask about your symptoms, how they are affecting your daily life, and what support you are looking for. They will then prepare the plan and refer you to a suitable mental health professional.
Eligibility: established clinical relationship rule
Since 1 November 2025, Medicare's Better Access initiative requires the telehealth GP who prepares your mental health care plan to have an existing clinical relationship with you. In practice, at least one of the following usually needs to apply:
- Your practice is registered in MyMedicare as your nominated practice
- The preparing GP is your usual medical practitioner (typically demonstrated by the majority of your GP services in the prior 12 months, or at least one face-to-face visit at that practice in the previous 12 months)
For new patients at a telehealth-only service, a first-time visit for an MHTP may not meet the Medicare rebate criteria under the new rules. Your GP will check your situation during the consultation and let you know if an in-person visit with another GP is needed first, or if the plan can still be authored under the rules that apply to you.
What happens during the consultation?
A mental health care plan consultation is longer than a standard GP appointment, typically 20 to 40 minutes. During the consultation, your GP will:
Assess your mental health
Your GP will ask about your symptoms, including:
- How you have been feeling emotionally (low mood, worry, irritability, numbness)
- Changes to your sleep, appetite, energy, or concentration
- How long you have been experiencing these symptoms
- Whether your symptoms are affecting work, study, relationships, or daily activities
- Any history of mental health conditions or previous treatment
- Current medications, alcohol, and substance use
This is not a test with right or wrong answers. The goal is to understand what you are going through so your GP can recommend the right type of support.
Create your treatment plan
Based on your assessment, your GP will prepare a written plan that includes:
- A summary of your current mental health concerns
- Treatment goals (for example, reducing anxiety symptoms, improving sleep, developing coping strategies)
- The type of mental health professional recommended (psychologist, social worker, etc.)
- The number of sessions allocated (up to 10 per calendar year under Medicare)
Provide a referral
Your GP will give you a referral to a psychologist or other mental health professional. You can choose your own provider or ask your GP for a recommendation. The referral, along with a copy of your plan, is sent to the provider you choose.
How many psychology sessions does Medicare cover?
Under the current Medicare rules, a mental health care plan gives you access to up to 10 individual sessions per calendar year with a registered:
- Psychologist (clinical or general)
- Social worker (accredited mental health)
- Occupational therapist (accredited mental health)
These sessions are subsidised by Medicare. As of 1 July 2025, the Medicare rebate for a standard 50+ minute session is approximately $145.25 with a clinical psychologist (MBS item 80010) and approximately $98.95 with a general psychologist (MBS item 80110), social worker (MBS item 80160), or occupational therapist (MBS item 80135). Rebate amounts are indexed annually. If your psychologist bulk bills, the sessions have no out-of-pocket cost. If they charge above the Medicare rebate, you pay a gap fee; the size of the gap depends on the provider.
Your GP will schedule a review after your initial sessions (usually after 6) to assess your progress and determine whether further sessions are needed.
Is the GP consultation bulk billed?
At NewDoc, mental health care plan consultations are bulk billed for eligible Medicare cardholders. There is no out-of-pocket cost for the GP consultation, the plan, or the referral.
If you are not eligible for bulk billing, a private consultation fee applies.
Do I need a mental health care plan?
You might benefit from a mental health care plan if:
- You are experiencing persistent low mood, anxiety, or stress that is affecting your daily life
- You want to see a psychologist but the cost is a barrier
- You have been through a difficult event (relationship breakdown, job loss, bereavement, trauma)
- You are finding it hard to cope with work, study, or family responsibilities
- You have a diagnosed mental health condition and want ongoing support
You do not need to be in crisis to access a mental health care plan. The program is designed for early intervention and ongoing support, not just acute situations.
If you are in crisis or having thoughts of self-harm, call 000 in an emergency, or contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467, Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, 13YARN on 13 92 76 (for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people), Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 (for 5 to 25 year olds), or PANDA on 1300 726 306 (for perinatal mental health). Telehealth is not appropriate for an acute mental health emergency.
How to get started
Visit NewDoc to book a bulk billed telehealth consultation for a mental health care plan. Same-day appointments are available seven days a week.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get a mental health care plan via telehealth?
Book a bulk billed telehealth appointment and note at booking that you want a mental health care plan (also called a Mental Health Treatment Plan) so a longer consult is scheduled. Your GP takes a structured history using validated screening tools, authors the plan (usually 20 to 40 minutes), and sends you a copy. For eligible Medicare patients the consult is bulk billed at no out-of-pocket cost. Note that since November 2025 the preparing GP generally needs an existing clinical relationship with you under Medicare's Better Access rules.
Can any telehealth GP prepare a mental health care plan for me?
Since 1 November 2025, Medicare's Better Access initiative generally requires the preparing GP to have an existing clinical relationship with you. This usually means your practice is registered in MyMedicare, the GP is your usual medical practitioner, or you have had at least one face-to-face visit at your usual practice in the prior 12 months. Your GP will check eligibility during the consultation.
How many psychology sessions does a mental health care plan cover?
Up to 10 Medicare-subsidised individual sessions per calendar year with a registered psychologist, accredited mental health social worker, or occupational therapist. The first six are covered under the initial plan; a short GP review is needed before the final four can be claimed. The session count resets on 1 January each year.
Is the mental health care plan appointment bulk billed at NewDoc?
For eligible Medicare cardholders, yes. The telehealth consultation that produces the plan is bulk billed at no out-of-pocket cost. The psychology sessions themselves have separate fees set by the psychologist you choose; some bulk bill, some charge a gap above the Medicare rebate.
How much will a psychology session cost after I have a plan?
If your psychologist bulk bills, there is no gap fee. If they privately bill, you pay the full fee upfront and receive the Medicare rebate back. As of 1 July 2025, the rebate is approximately $145.25 for a 50+ minute session with a clinical psychologist (MBS item 80010) and approximately $98.95 with a general psychologist (MBS item 80110), social worker (MBS item 80160), or occupational therapist (MBS item 80135). Rebates are indexed annually.
Can I see any psychologist in Australia under my plan?
Yes, you can see any registered psychologist, accredited mental health social worker, or occupational therapist. Many offer telehealth. Ask the provider about their fees and whether they bulk bill before booking.
Do I need a referral for the psychologist?
The mental health care plan itself acts as the referral. Your GP can either address it to a specific psychologist if you have chosen one, or leave it open so you can compare providers before booking.
How long does a mental health care plan consultation take?
A new plan typically takes 20 to 40 minutes because of the structured mental health assessment. Follow-up reviews are shorter, usually 15 to 20 minutes. Your booking page shows the expected length.
Can a telehealth GP review or extend my existing plan?
Yes. Medicare's care-plan structure includes a review after the initial six psychology sessions, which your telehealth GP can complete during a short bulk billed consultation provided the established clinical relationship requirement is met. The review checks progress, adjusts goals if needed, and unlocks the final four rebated sessions.
What should I do in a mental health crisis?
Telehealth is not appropriate for acute crisis care. If you are in immediate danger, call 000 or attend your nearest emergency department. Free 24/7 phone support is available from Lifeline (13 11 14), Suicide Call Back Service (1300 659 467), Beyond Blue (1300 22 4636), 13YARN (13 92 76) for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800) for 5 to 25 year olds, and PANDA (1300 726 306) for perinatal mental health.
Ready to see a GP?
Book a bulk billed telehealth consultation. Same-day appointments, seven days a week.
Last reviewed 25 April 2026. Editorial policy
Written by
Chief Medical Officer, NewDoc
A practising GP with over a decade of clinical experience, specialising in allergies, metabolic health, and chronic disease management.