Patient FAQ
For psychiatrists, please have your GP forward a referral addressed ‘Dear Doctor.’ For psychologists, please have your GP forward a referral and a mental health treatment plan. Due to the volume of referrals, it may take 3 weeks to process it.
If we are unable to allocate your referral we will inform your GP and it will be up to your GP to contact you to consider other options. If the referral is accepted, you will receive an SMS to arrange an appointment. This is a good time to ask any questions you might have. Please note none of the clinicians accept third party referrals such as DVA, TAC or Workcover.
A non-refundable deposit is required to secure an appointment due to the amount of patients not attending. You can reschedule your appointment with at least one week’s notice otherwise your deposit will be forfeited and additional cancellation fees will apply if you cancel within 3 business days.
How Do I Make An Appointment?
What Can I Expect From My First Consultation?
Your initial session will be 45-50 minutes so please ensure you complete the patient intake form before your appointment as this will greatly assist with your assessment. You will be asked series of questions to gain a better understanding of your mental health.
Sometimes it might not be possible to cover everything in one session so subsequent sessions may be required before the assessment can be completed and a comprehensive management plan created with you. You do not have to talk about anything that is too difficult for you but the more you share, the more accurate the assessment will be.
If you have booked a telehealth appointment please click on the profile photo of your specific clinician to access their telehealth link.
At the time of making your first assessment appointment, you will receive an email invitation to access the secure patient portal where you will need to enter your details and complete some questionnaires. Please feel free to upload any additional documents you think might be important via your patient portal.
What Should I Bring To My Consultation?
Generally speaking, initial assessments are quite in-depth and personal so the first meeting is usually one-on-one, but you are more than welcome to bring a support person if you are comfortable sharing your private information with them. Please rest assured that your privacy and safety is paramount and information will only be shared with these individuals upon your expressed informed consent.
Who Should I Bring To My Consultation?
What Can I Expect From Subsequent Consultations?
If you are seeing a psychologist your subsequent sessions will generally be quite regular to ensure there is consistent progress in your therapy. For psychiatrists, the length of your subsequent consultations may vary according to clinical appropriateness. These sessions may involve further assessment, explanation of treatment options and addressing your mental health problems. They may also involve monitoring your mental health and response to treatment. If medications are involved, you can expect to be informed of why they are relevant, how to take the medications and any potential associated risks. We strongly suggest you ask any questions to ensure you have a proper understanding of your treatment plan.
A transparent and trusting therapeutic relationship is important so all patients will be advised of their fee prior to the confirmation of their appointment. Each clinician sets their own fee and it varies according to the type and length of the consultation. All psychiatrists/psychologists are registered with Medicare so you may be eligible to claim a rebate from your consultation if you have an eligible referral.
For patients who would like to see their clinician regularly but are concerned about costs, it is worthwhile understanding the Extended Medicare Safety Net so please click on this link. In short, after reaching your threshold, review sessions with your psychiatrist may cost as little as ~$70.
As a general guide, out of pocket costs for an initial FIRST appointment with a psychiatrist ranges from approximately $1037.90 to $1044.50. For psychologists the out of pocket costs is approximately $169-$191. None of the independent clinicians bulk-bill.
Please note that consultation fees need to be paid at the end of the consultation and unfortunately, due to the frequency of non-attendances, cancellations of appointments without 3 business days’ notice will lead to a cancellation fee as other patients cannot access these reserved appointments.
What Are The Consultation Fees?
Unfortunately, as independent private clinicians, they do not have the capacity to manage psychiatric crises and emergencies. If you require urgent help please call Lifeline on 13 11 14, attend your local hospital or call 000 and ask for an ambulance.
Please note clinicians do NOT provide clinical care outside of scheduled sessions so any clinical matters please call to book an appointment.
What Do I Do In An Emergency?
Can I change to another psychiatrist?
Unlike GP clinics where they share notes and patients, all psychiatrists at specialist mental health clinics practice independently with their own patients, treatment plans, fees and policies. They cannot access each others’ notes.
Melbourne Mental Health simply provides administrative support and services for independent clinicians.
If you would like to see a different psychiatrist at Melbourne Mental Health you will have to organise a new GP referral and go through a new assessment with that psychiatrist as you will be a new patient to them. This will also ensure you receive the appropriate Medicare rebate.
We strongly recommend discussing any issues you have with your psychiatrist directly as often misunderstandings can be resolved through clear communication and it can build a stronger therapeutic relationship.
I was/am an existing patient, why do I need a new referral?
GP referrals by default expire after 12 months so if it has been more than 12 months since your GP referral, you will need to organise a new GP referral to ensure you receive your Medicare rebate. This is a government requirement.
If you are planning to see your psychiatrist long term, it is best to get your GP to write on the referral that it is an INDEFINITE referral so that it does not expire.
For patients who have only ever had a 291 assessment, whose last consultation was more than 12 months ago, or have been discharged, you will need a new GP referral to ensure your psychiatrists has the most up to date clinical information about you and for you to receive your Medicare rebate.