Frequently Asked Questions - Sessions, Fees, and Rebates

How many appointments will be required? 

This is dependent on the complexity of the presenting issue.  Some clients require only a few sessions, while others benefit from more. This will be discussed with your clinician.  At Melbourne Wellbeing Group we focus on effective resolutions and sustainable management.

How long does each session last?

Sessions are 50 minutes.

What is the cost of a session?

Our fees vary depending on the service you require. To find out more about our fees, please contact us.

Do you have a cancellation policy?

At Melbourne Wellbeing Group our policy for cancellations is to try to work with you as best we can to avoid charging the cancellation fee.  We send reminders of your appointment at least two business days before your scheduled appointment time and offer Telehealth services for flexibility if you cannot make an appointment in person. If you absolutely can't make your appointment, we ask that you please let us know in advance. This gives us a chance to fill your cancelled spot with someone on our cancellation list who is waiting for an appointment time. This is why we ask for 48 hours notice (excluding weekend and public holidays), so we have time to contact others. If the time can't be filled and you have provided less than 48 hours notice (excluding weekends & public holidays), the following cancellation fees will apply:

Please note that there is no Medicare rebate for cancellation fees. We understand that exceptional circumstances occasionally arise such as an intense illness or emergency, which may impact your ability to attend appointments. In these circumstances, please contact us to discuss your situation or contact your treating clinician.

Are sessions run face-to-face or via Telehealth?

Sessions can be run via Telehealth or via face-to-face. Let our admin team know what you would prefer when you call us to make a booking.

What is the Medicare rebate for psychology?

Clients being referred by their GP, psychiatrist or paediatrician are eligible for the Medicare rebate. This includes children, adolescents, and adults. The Medicare rebate offers a considerable rebate to clients for 10 sessions per calendar year for individual therapy and an additional 10 sessions per calendar year for group therapy.

How can I access the Medicare rebate?

Medicare offers rebates for therapy services for individual therapy and/or group therapy. To be eligible, you must visit your GP, psychiatrist, or paediatrician, prior to your first appointment with us, and explain your mental health concerns.  If you are seeing a GP, we recommend that you book a double appointment (i.e., at least 30 minutes), so they have adequate time to develop a mental health care plan (MHCP) with you. Your GP will give you the MHCP and a letter of referral.  If you are seeing a psychiatrist or paediatrician for a referral, they will provide a letter of referral to activate Medicare. Once you have the relevant paperwork and have scheduled an appointment, you will bring these documents and your Medicare card to your first appointment, and we will organise the rest. For further information please contact us. 

How can I claim the Medicare rebate?

To be eligible for a Medicare rebate, you need a valid referral and/or a mental health care plan or a chronic disease management plan.

Because we are not a bulk bill clinic, sessions must be paid in full (via cash or EFTPOS) even if you have a mental health care plan or a chronic disease management plan. Your rebate is processed immediately afterwards and will be paid into your nominated bank account.

Please note that Medicare no longer issues cheques for rebates.

Can I use the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)?

If you have an NDIS plan that is self-managed or plan-managed, please advise us before your first appointment so we can make the required arrangements.

Are there private health insurance rebates?

Yes. If you have extras cover that includes psychology, you can claim a rebate from your health fund provider. The rebate varies with your level of cover, so please contact your private health fund for more information. You will only be charged the gap between the rebate and the cost of the session. Private health fund rebates and Medicare rebates cannot be used concurrently. 

What is the Chronic Disease Management Plan (CDMP)?

If you have used all 10 sessions in the current calendar year under the mental health care plan (MHCP) for psychology, and your condition is deemed chronic (i.e., persisting for at least six months), and there are two specialists looking after your needs (i.e., a psychologist and psychiatrist), you may be eligible to access the CDMP.  Eligibility is determined by your GP and can entitle you to a rebate for a further five sessions in a calendar year.  Please note that the rebate under a CDMP is less than the MHCP rebate.