Many of you have expressed your ongoing concern about the 10-session Medicare cap which denies many of your clients access to the amount of care they need.
This week AAPi has worked with psychology and consumer agencies to form a coalition of nine peak agencies and launched a petition calling for more care for those who need it.
Clients with complex mental health conditions and people who have survived trauma are among those most likely to need more than 10 sessions to improve.
You will remember that in 2022 the Federal Government halved Medicare-rebated psychology sessions from 20 to 10 and since then has failed to provide a care plan for vulnerable people who need more sessions.
Psychologists agree there is a cohort of clients, often with complex mental health issues or a history of trauma, who simply cannot improve their mental health with a 10-session cap.
As your professional association, we have been in constant contact with politicians since 2022 in an effort to negotiate more care for patients with complex needs.
We urge you to consider signing the petition, and to share it on your social media and in your reception areas with people who may also be concerned about this ongoing restriction on their care.
Don't forget to inform your clients that they can play a role in advocating for increased Medicare rebates for psychology services too.
Attached is an A4 flyer you can print out for your reception areas or share.
It is our ultimate hope as a coalition that the public, and all psychologists, will support the petition and send a clear message that more care is required for clients with complex needs.
A COALITION OF EXPERTS AND PATIENTS
Mental health clients and psychology organisations have formed a united coalition of nine peak agencies and begun a petition to address the ongoing shortfall in Medicare-rebated psychology care available to Australians. The agencies, who hope other professionals will join them, say the 10-session Medicare rebate cap on psychology care robs people of essential care. The coalition is calling for more Medicare-rebated psychology sessions for those who need it.
Psychology Coalition Members:
- Consumer advocacy organisation Lived Experience Australia
- Australian Clinical Psychology Association
- Australian Psychological Society
- Institute of Clinical Psychologists
- Australian Association of Psychologists Inc
- Institute of Private Practicing Psychologists
- Association of Counselling Psychologists
- Heads of Departments and Schools of Psychology Association
- Australian Educational and Developmental Psychology Association
The petition can be found here.
Please also consider downloading and sharing the video below.