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1300 472 866

FAQs

Frequently asked questions

How do I prepare for my telehealth appointment?

Be ready for your appointment 5 minutes prior to the scheduled time. Ensure you are in a comfortable, quiet and private space. When you are ready to connect, click on the unique link sent via email and follow the prompts.

How do I access my telehealth appointment?

You can access your appointment via the video link in your booking confirmation email. If you cannot locate the link for your appointment, please contact us via the chat function on our website or call us on 1300 472 866 and we can resend this to you.

Do rebates differ between general psychologists and clinical psychologists?

Yes. From 01/11/24 Medicare offers $96.65 for general psychologists, $141.85 for clinical psychologists. To find out more about psychology rebates, please see the Medicare Benefits Schedule Online.

I paid for my session in full but never received my Medicare rebate. What do I do?

  • Check that Medicare has your bank account details (this can be done via MyGov. PSYCH2U cannot check this for you)
  • If Medicare does have your bank account details, then double check with PSYCH2U that we have processed your rebate.
  • If PSYCH2U tried to process the rebate and Medicare does not have your bank account details, then you will need to provide Medicare with your bank details and receipt from your appointment (PSYCH2U cannot do this for you).
  • Future Medicare rebates will be able to be processed by us once you have set up your bank details.
  • If none of the above work, you will need to consider whether you have used up your mental health treatment plan limits or if your GP has correctly assigned an MHTP.
  • How do I pay for my appointment?

    A deposit is required at booking, with the balance due 7 days before your appointment. Payment links are sent via SMS. For more information on how to pay for your appointment please visit our Terms and Conditions.

    Do you offer bulk billing appointments?

    Bulk billing for both psychiatry and psychology is limited, however may be available for eligible patients in rural areas or those who hold a valid concession card. Please contact our admin team via the chat or email us at support@psych2u.com.au to discuss your eligibility.

    Do you offer services for children and adolescents?

    Yes, PSYCH2U can cater for all ages. Guardian consent is required for all minors or adolescents.

    Do you offer services for patients living outside of Australia?

    We can offer privately funded psychology and psychiatry services for patients living outside of Australia, however no Medicare rebates or bulk billing applies.

    What is a Referral?

    A referral is a specific recommendation from a GP or another healthcare provider directing the patient to a particular specialist or service such as Psychiatry.

    What is a mental health treatment plan (MHTP)?

    A Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) is a structured plan developed by a general practitioner (GP) or another healthcare professional in collaboration with the patient to manage and treat mental health conditions. It outlines any mental health goals, treatment strategies and referrals to mental health professionals such as psychologists.

    Do you prescribe S8 medication?

    Your psychiatrist may choose to prescribe S8 medicines if this is a part of your treatment plan, or they may ask your GP to co-prescribe on their behalf.

    What conditions can be treated online?

    We can treat a range of different conditions at PSYCH2U. To view the range of conditions PSYCH2U can assist with, please refer to our patient’s page.

    What happens after my psychology appointment?

    Your psychologist will discuss with you during your initial session regarding ongoing appointments and next steps. If ongoing appointments are required, your psychologist may be able to schedule these for you, alternatively our admin team will contact you to arrange.

    What happens after my psychiatry appointment?

    Your treatment plan will be discussed with you during your initial appointment; however your psychiatrist will write a letter back to your referring GP within 2 weeks of your appointment outlining the next steps of your treatment plan. If a review appointment is required, our admin team will contact you to arrange this.

    How long do appointments go for?

    For psychology, each individual therapy session is 50 minutes in length. How many sessions you need depends on your situation and can be discussed with your psychologist. For psychiatry appointments, initial appointments are between 45-60 minutes and reviews 15-30 minutes.

    How often do I see my psychologist or psychiatrist?

    This depends on your presenting concerns, the complexity of your situation and any risk factors. Generally, patients attend weekly to fortnightly for psychology and then over a period of time, the gap between sessions lengthen. For psychiatry you may only need 1 appointment every 12 months, however reviews may be required more regularly and this can be discussed with your psychiatrist.

    What are the wait times for a psychology or psychiatry appointment?

    The average wait times for appointments vary depending on the availability of clinicians and the type of service required. For psychology appointments, we aim to offer availability within 2 weeks. Psychiatry appointments typically have a wait time of 4-6 weeks, including ADHD assessments.

    What is the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist?

    Psychologists are university trained and registered practitioners who assist people with challenges they are facing in their life including depression, anxiety, stress and relationship difficulties, as well as mental health issues. Their focus is on tailoring plans to help their clients develop skills and techniques to cope with difficulties and to prevent on-going issues and they often use a combination of therapies appropriate to the situation. Psychiatrists are specialist medical doctors who have obtained additional qualifications to practice in the specialty of psychiatry. They specialise in the diagnosis and medical treatment of mental illness and can prescribe medication as well as using other therapies.

    Can I claim on Medicare or with my private health insurer?

    You may be able to claim your appointment through Medicare or your private health insurer. PSYCH2U processes eligible Medicare rebates within 48 hours of your appointment, with the rebate deposited directly into your Medicare-nominated bank account.

    What is telehealth and how does it benefit me?

    Online mental health services, also known as telehealth, involves virtual sessions through a secure video conferencing platform. It allows you to connect with a psychologist or psychiatrist from the comfort of your home using a device such as a computer, tablet, or smartphone. This means reduced travel and wait times and allows you the flexibility to see a mental health clinician at a time that suits you.

    Can I reschedule or cancel my appointment?

    If you need to cancel or re schedule your appointment it's important that you give us as much notice as possible so that we can try to avoid delays in scheduling with your chosen clinician. If you give us more than 24 hours' notice of cancellation, there are no consequences, and we can reschedule your appointment at no extra cost. However, if you provide 24 hours' notice or less, your deposit will be forfeited, and your appointment will need to be rescheduled. For further details, please refer to our terms and conditions.

    What happens if I don't attend my appointment?

    If you miss your appointment without providing at least 24 hours' notice, you will be charged the full fee for your booking.

    Is my information secure and confidential?

    We adhere to patient privacy and confidentiality laws. All personally identifiable data is encrypted and patient consults (and records) are confidential. For more information, please refer to our privacy policy.

    What are the costs for psychiatry and psychology services?

    The cost of psychiatry and psychology services depends on the type of service required. For psychological services, the general out-of-pocket expense ranges from $94 to $100 per session. For psychiatric services, out-of-pocket fees typically range from $400 to $595 for initial consultations and $175 to $215 for follow-up appointments.

    Do I need a referral from my local doctor?

    You can self-refer without a referral to PSYCH2U. However, to access Medicare rebates, a valid referral or in the case of psychology appointments, a valid Mental Health Treatment Plan is required from your GP or Specialist. If you don't have a regular GP, you can arrange an appointment with one of our GPs at GP2U.

    How do I access my prescriptions?

    Your prescription will be sent to you electronically via SMS or email. This can then be taken to your preferred pharmacy to be dispensed.

    Do I need a referral to access PSYCH2U services?

    You can self-refer without a referral to PSYCH2U. However, to access Medicare rebates a valid referral or in the case of psychology appointments, a valid Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) is required from your GP or Specialist. If you don't have a regular GP, you can arrange an appointment with one of our GPs at GP2U.

    Can I get a prescription through an online psychiatrist?

    If the psychiatrist determines that medication is necessary as part of your treatment plan, they may prescribe medication or refer you back to your GP for recommended prescriptions. Please note there are state restrictions on prescribing, particularly around Schedule 8 (S8) medications and your GP may need to be able or willing to co-prescribe.

    How do I get a referral and mental health treatment plan?

    A referral or Mental Health Treatment Plan can be provided by your local General Practitioner (GP) or Specialist. If you don't have a regular GP, you can arrange an appointment with one of our GPs at GP2U. Please contact our friendly admin team via our chat function or email us at support@psych2u.com.au.

    Do you accept referrals from NDIS, DVA, Workers Compensation and other third parties?

    PSYCH2U supports NDIS psychology for both Plan Managed and Self-Managed participants and supports those accessing Workers Compensation or EAP. Our team are here to help make this process as easy as possible.

    How do I book an appointment?

    GP Referral: If your GP sends a referral to PSYCH2U, our team will process it and send you a booking link via SMS. This link allows you to book your appointment at a convenient time with the best-matched clinician. Self-Referral: You can book an appointment directly by calling our friendly admin team on 1300 472 866, or if you already have a referral and wish to book an appointment, simply email it to us at support@psych2u.com.au. We’ll contact you to arrange your session with the most suitable clinician.

    Is my information secure during telehealth sessions?

    We adhere to patient privacy and confidentiality laws. All personally identifiable data is encrypted and patient consults (and records) are confidential. For more information please refer to our privacy policy.

    What technology do I need for telehealth?

    You will need a device with a camera and microphone, a reliable internet connection, and a private and quite space where you feel comfortable discussing personal matters. Appointments can be done from your computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone.

    What are the costs for psychiatry and psychology services?

    The cost of psychiatry and psychology services depends on the type of service required. For psychological services, the general out-of-pocket expense ranges from $94 to $100 per session. For psychiatric services, out-of-pocket fees typically range from $400 to $595 for initial consultations and $175 to $215 for follow-up appointments.

    Is bulk billing available for Medicare-eligible services?

    Bulk billing is limited, however may be available for eligible patients in rural areas. Please contact our admin team via email at support@psych2u.com.au to clarify eligibility.

    What happens if there are technical issues during a session?

    In the rare event of technical issues, our team will work with you to troubleshoot or reschedule the session at no cost. If you are experiencing technical issues, please contact us via the chat function on our website or call us on 1300 472 866 and press option 5 for technical support.

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