Understanding Telehealth Therapy
Mind Body Well provide secure, confidential Telehealth services with our experienced Psychologists and Dietitians. Our Team of therapists have experience providing therapy for people with a variety of concerns such as mood issues, stress and anxiety, general mental health concerns, and eating disorders.
We use a secure web-based platform called Cliniko, which is designed specifically for allied health professionals. You can read about Cliniko directly on their website.
What therapies are available via Telehealth?
Telehealth Therapy is suitable for people who:
are home due to Covid-19
live in non-metropolitan areas
are parents of young children
work long hours or shift work
travel regularly
are unable to find appropriate therapists in their own area, or
are unable to get to our office for a variety of reasons
Telehealth Therapy is not suitable for everyone
Online therapy is not appropriate for people who need a high level of care, particularly those who have acute mental health issues and/or are medically compromised. If you are unsure whether telehealth therapy is appropriate for you, please complete our New Client Request form and we will be in touch to discuss your needs.
Medicare Rebates for Telehealth Therapy - Covid-19 Item Numbers
The Australian Government has extended the eligibility for Medicare claiming for Telehealth therapy to support people to access therapy while we’re in these exceptional times of physical distancing.
The good news is this means anyone who has an eligible care plan from their Doctor can claim Medicare Rebate for Telehealth / Online therapy. The eligible care plans are:
Mental Health Care Plan (Psychologist)
Eating Disorder Treatment Plan (Psychologist and Dietitian)
Chronic Disease Management Plan (Dietitian)
Please note however we are not a bulk-billing service, so an out of pocket fee will apply.
Private Health Insurance Rebates for Telehealth Therapy
You may be able to claim private health insurance rebates for Telehealth if you are not claiming fro Medicare (ie. you cant claim from both for the same session). As the policies for this differ between funds, please check your eligibility for this directly with your fund.
How can I arrange an appointment for Telehealth therapy?
Please complete our New Client Intake Form, and our Intake Manager will respond to discuss the options available.
See more details about preparing for your Telehealth session.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Telehealth used for?
Telehealth allows health professionals to provide services via online or telephone systems. One of the most common methods is using videoconferencing, such as Zoom. With the current COVID-19 situation, telehealth services are being used to provide a number of health services, including psychology and dietitian sessions.
How does Telehealth work?
Telehealth sessions generally work using a video and/or audio session online. It is normal for telehealth sessions to feel quite different to meeting in-person, which is okay. Telehealth has been shown to be equally as effective as in-person therapy for psychological treatment. If you have any concerns about using telehealth, please discuss these with your health professional.
Who is eligible for Telehealth?
People living in rural areas of Australia are eligible for Medicare rebates on telehealth sessions as defined by the ‘Modified Monash Model’ (ask your GP regarding eligibility). With the COVID-19 situation, the Australian government has created new temporary item numbers, allowing all Medicare-eligible Australians to access Medicare rebated telehealth services with a GP-approved plan.
Does Medicare cover Telehealth?
Temporary Medicare rebates have been introduced with the COVID-19 situation to ensure access to services is available via telehealth for Australians. These rebates are available for all Australians eligible for Medicare. For psychology telehealth sessions, to be eligible for the Medicare rebates, clients require a valid Mental Health Care Plan with referral from a GP (or another relevant plan).
How do I set up Telehealth?
Your medical or allied health provider will provide specific directions on using the telehealth format they have chosen. Typically, you might be sent a link via email which will take you directly to a video session at the time of your appointment. In preparing your space, you might like to think about how you can set up a quiet and private space, and turn off any online notifications which may be distracting. Your provider should also discuss back up options in case there are any connection issues.