Comfortably Compliant

October 2017

The APS Professional Advisory Service has recently taken a number of queries from members about the validity of conducting psychological assessments under Medicare. The answer to this question depends on which Medicare items are under consideration.Better Access itemsThe Better Access items are...

February 2017

The ongoing freeze on Medicare rebates is placing considerable financial pressure on all health care providers including psychologists. Despite this, many psychologists continue to directly bill Medicare (bulk bill) clients with limited financial capacity rather than ask them to pay an upfront...

December 2016

Under Better Access, the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) states that item numbers can only be used for individuals with a mental disorder as defined by the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems-10 (ICD-10). However, on occasion psychologists will...

October 2016

Psychologists are accustomed to the need to report back to the referring medical practitioner as part of the requirements for using the Better Access item numbers. A report is required when the client has completed the number of sessions as outlined in the referral. What is less well recognised...

August 2016

For many psychologists providing services under Medicare, the majority of referrals are received from general practitioners (GP). However, psychiatrists and paediatricians can also refer individuals with an assessed mental disorder to a psychologist for a total of 10 individual services in a...

June 2016

When delivering a service under Medicare, it is a requirement that the identified client be present. Since the commencement of Better Access, this requirement has presented a challenge for treating psychologists working with children and young people as best-practice often requires working with...