Find Psychologists near you with Karista.

Accessing the right mental health support often starts with a Mental Health Care Plan. This Medicare-funded plan helps eligible individuals connect with allied health professionals and receive subsidised mental health services either face to face, or via telehealth sessions.

A Mental Health Care Plan is a structured plan prepared by a GP to help people with a diagnosed mental health condition access Medicare-subsidised mental health services. The plan outlines:

• Your mental health needs and goals
• Recommended supports and services
• Referrals to suitable allied health professionals
• Review timeframes to monitor progress

Once in place, the plan allows you to claim Medicare rebates for eligible mental health services under the Better Access initiative.

A Mental Health Care Plan is the key document that enables Medicare funding for mental health support. With an active plan, individuals may be eligible for:

• Subsidised psychology or counselling sessions
• Support from other eligible allied health professionals
• Coordinated care based on agreed Care goals

Karista works alongside individuals to help them navigate their plan, understand what supports are available, and connect with appropriate services aligned with their needs. Service may be delivered in person or via telehealth sessions.

Telehealth psychology offers a flexible, accessible way to get support without the need to travel, making it easier to fit sessions into busy routines. It can reduce wait times, provide access to a wider range of therapists (including those with specific expertise), and allow you to attend sessions from the comfort and privacy of your own home. For many people, this convenience helps make starting and continuing therapy feel more manageable.

Mental Health Treatment Plans follow a standard GP template used across Australia. This ensures your care is clearly documented and recognised by Medicare.

You can view the official GP Mental Health Treatment Plan template here:

GP Mental Health Care Plan

Your GP completes this plan during a mental health assessment. Once finalised, it becomes the foundation for accessing Medicare-subsidised mental health services.

If you think a Mental Health Treatment Plan may be right for you, the first step is to speak with your GP. Once your plan is in place, Karista can help you understand your options and take the next steps toward accessing services.