Medicare Rebate This page should be read in conjunction with our page on Amicus Counselling Fees and Rebates. For more information on Medicare Rebates please click on the link for the Medicare Facts Sheet. Changes to the Better Access to Mental Health Care initiative Information for clients The Federal Government announced funding cuts to the Better Access initiative in the 2011 Budget in order to allocate money to other mental health programs. The changes involve a cut in the number of allowable sessions of treatment that a person can receive from a psychologist each year under the Better Access initiative. This change is applicable from 1 November 2011. Under the previous arrangements, people could access a maximum of 18 sessions of treatment from a psychologist each year and receive Medicare rebates. This treatment was available in two lots of six sessions following a review of progress by the referring doctor, with a further six sessions available under exceptional circumstances. New arrangements from 1 November 2011 From 1 November 2011, eligible people can receive: • A maximum of 10 individual services in a calendar year. Your referring doctor will assess your progress after the first six sessions. • A maximum of 10 group therapy services in a calendar year where such services are available and seen as appropriate by your referring doctor and the psychologist. | 
