How to get a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) in Newcastle

A simple and practical guide to seeing a Clinical Psychologist in Newcastle

Here’s everything you need to know about getting a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) so you can see a Clinical Psychologist at Lacuna and receive a Medicare-rebate on the cost of the session.

What Is a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP)?

A Mental Health Care Plan is a plan provided by your GP. It usually includes a referral for sessions with a psychologist and, if needed, other support like medication. The plan helps you access Medicare rebates for psychology sessions, which can significantly reduce your out-of-pocket costs.

With a MHCP, you’re entitled to up to 10 Medicare-rebated sessions each calendar year. At Lacuna Psychology, this brings the out-of-pocket cost for a session with one of our clinical psychologists to $98.15 (as of January 2025). 

Key Things to Know About a Mental Health Care Plan:

• You’ll start with 6 sessions: After these, your psychologist will provide a progress update to your GP. If additional therapy is recommended, your GP will be able to provide a referral for further sessions.

• The calendar year matters: You can access up to 10 sessions each calendar year. Lacuna will help you keep track of your sessions.

• Lacuna can accept referrals addressed to other psychologists or clinics: No need to worry about going back to your GP to make changes.

The different ways you can use your Medicare rebated psychology sessions

Scenario 1: Suzie needs 6 sessions with a Clinical Psychologist

Mental Health Care Plans are provided by GPs and they usually include a referral for psychology and medication if needed.

During the appointment, Dr Chan asks questions about her mood, energy levels, sleep and appetite. Based on their conversation, Dr. Chan completes a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP), which includes psychology sessions and a low-dose medication. She provides a referral to Lacuna Psychology, emails it to Suzie and gives her a paper copy as well.

Suzie schedules her first session with one of our Clinical Psychologists, Sarah Young, using our easy online booking system. From the moment she steps into Lacuna, Suzie feels at ease, appreciating the warm and welcoming environment. Her therapy sessions soon become a much-needed sanctuary from the demands of her daily life.

Under her current referral, Suzie accesses 6 Medicare-rebated psychology sessions, which she completes within the same calendar year. Throughout her time with Sarah Young, she makes significant progress and, by the end of her 6th session, feels ready to conclude therapy. To ensure continuity of care, Sarah provides a detailed progress letter to Dr. Chan, updating her on Suzie’s mental health.

Scenario 2: Tristan needs ongoing psychology sessions that span across calendar years

Cam recently moved to Newcastle with her husband and two children. She has been struggling with anxiety since the move. Following a panic attack, Cam realises she needs help this week, but when she tries to find a new GP she can’t get an appointment for three weeks. 

Cam plans to find a long-term GP, but due to the wait she books a Telehealth appointment through InstantScripts where she won’t have to wait for an appointment. She speaks to a GP on the phone and receives her MHCP and referral via email that same day. Given Cam was new to the area she had the referral addressed to a local psychology clinic she heard about. 

The next day Cam asked around for a recommendation and a friend from the area recommended Lacuna Psychology. Cam contacts Lacuna where our Practice Manager reassured her:

• Yes, you can still use your referral at Lacuna even though another psychologist or clinic is named on the referral.

• Yes, you can choose between seeing a male or female psychologist at Lacuna. 

• Yes, our psychologists can see you in person or online, whichever is more convenient at the time.

Cam books in to see Tanya Hopwood at Lacuna, who helps her explore the emotions underlying her depression and anxiety.  On some occasions Cam changes the sessions to telehealth (an online video session) at late notice because of work or family constraints, this helps her to keep her appointments consistent. 

During the initial treatment period Cam finds a new local GP who can support her on an ongoing basis and when Tanya Hopwood writes her progress letter after the 6th session, she sends it to Cam’s new GP.

Why timing matters: Tips for using your MHCP effectively

The calendar year is important when it comes to using your MHCP. Here are some key tips:

• Plan your sessions carefully: If you get a referral later in the year, consider booking your sessions closer together to use as many as possible before December 31. Each new year allows you to be referred for a total of 10 new Medicare-rebated sessions. Using your sessions wisely means you can maximize the support available to you. If you have questions about how best to use your sessions at Lacuna, our Practice Manager will be able to help you.

• We keep track of your session numbers: After your first six sessions, you’ll need to visit your GP for a new referral if you want to access further Medicare-rebated sessions. Don’t worry, our Practice Manager will remind you when you’re nearing six sessions.

• You can change psychology clinics: If you’ve used some sessions from your referral with another psychologist, you can still use your remaining sessions at Lacuna. There’s no need to get a new referral—just bring your existing one, and we’ll take care of the rest

If you can’t see your regular GP

Life doesn’t always go to plan—maybe you’re traveling, have just moved, or can’t get an appointment with your usual GP. In these cases, Telehealth services like InstantScripts can provide a same-day and convenient way to access a MHCP.