We understand our members, and your patients, are already being impacted by the uncertainty surrounding the future of the additional 10 Medicare sessions.
Currently, the additional 10 sessions are due to come to an end from 31 December 2022.
This key issue is a long-standing advocacy focus for the APS. Even before the pandemic, our position was that all patients should have access to at least 20 rebated sessions per year.
Since the introduction of the additional 10 sessions in 2020, we have been successful in securing two extensions to the program. In that time, the APS has not stopped urging the Federal Government to make the additional session a permanent feature of the Better Access program.
In the face of the current mental health crisis, we recognise this program has been extraordinarily effective in making treatment more accessible and affordable. In the 2021-22 financial year alone, 1,023,241 additional sessions were provided by psychologists.
We are speaking with the Federal Government regularly about this matter and using the media to help raise awareness of this important issue.
Family members and carers sessions under Better Access
We know you’re interested in hearing any updates regarding the implementation date for the 2021-22 Budget measure to facilitate the participation of family members and carers (including parents) in treatment provided under the Better Access initiative. At present, there are no further updates, however we’ve been told it remains on track for delivery by early 2023. We remain in close contact with the Federal Government and will let members know any news as it we hear it.
These are advocacy priorities for the APS and we will continue our work to ensure the Federal Government understands their importance to patients and psychologists.
Yours sincerely,
Tamara Cavenett FAPS GAICD
President
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