Obtaining a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) from a General Practitioner

Step 1:  Make sure you have Medicare 

You must have a valid Medicare card (green or light blue). Ensure your bank details are registered with Medicare so that rebates can be paid into your account directly. You can check this on myGov → Medicare. 

Step 2 –  Book a GP appointment

Book an appointment with your GP. Tell the GP that you would like a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) so you can receive Medicare rebates for counselling and psychotherapy sessions. Bring your Medicare card to the GP appointment.

Step 3 –  GP completes your Mental Health Plan

The GP will ask about your mental health, your goals, and any symptoms. If suitable, they will prepare a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) for you and a referral letter. Please advise the GP to address the referral to:

• Dr Coby Liew
• Live Your Story Counselling & Psychotherapy
• admin@liveyourstory.com

Step 4 –  First course of treatment

Initially, your GP can refer you for up to 6 sessions first. You can book your sessions online via our website. Note that the session fee will have to be paid in full by the client first (at the end of the session), and then Medicare pays the rebate directly into your nominated bank account within 24 hours after your psychotherapy session. For more information about our fee structure and types of therapy appointments offered, please click here. 

Step 5 –  GP review

After you use the initial 6 sessions, you are required to go back to your GP for an MHTP review. If you still need ongoing psychotherapy support, your GP can refer you for an additional 4 sessions for the year. 

Step 6 –  Annual limit

You may get up to 10 individual sessions rebated per calendar year under the Medicare Better Access program. The count resets every 1 January. Any unused session(s) cannot be carried forward to next year. If you wish to continue having sessions with your therapist, you will have to request for a new MHTP from your GP.