Eating Disorder Management Plans (EDMPs):
A Practical Guide for GPs
Information on this page comes from the MBS Explanatory Notes AN.0.78, the PHN Better Access Guide, MBS Online Guide, Services Australia and GP Mental Health Standards Collaboration.
The Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP)
Supporting Patients with Eating Disorders
Patients with eligible eating disorders may be able to access substantially more Medicare-funded treatment under an Eating Disorder Treatment and Management Plan (EDMP) than is available through a standard Mental Health Treatment Plan.
An EDMP can provide access to:
✓ Up to 40 Medicare-funded psychology sessions per year
✓ Up to 20 Medicare-funded dietitian sessions per year
✓ Structured multidisciplinary care
✓ Ongoing GP monitoring and review
This guide summarises the Medicare pathway, item numbers and referral process for GPs.
Who Is Eligible?
Patients may be eligible if they meet Medicare criteria for:
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Anorexia Nervosa
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Bulimia Nervosa
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Binge Eating Disorder
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Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED)
Eligibility depends on diagnosis and clinical severity criteria. Refer to current Medicare guidance for full eligibility requirements.
GP Item Numbers
Preparing an Eating Disorder Treatment and Management Plan
Item NumberDescription
90250EDMP preparation (<40 mins)
90251EDMP preparation (40+ mins)
90252EDMP preparation by GP with Mental Health Skills Training (<40 mins)
90253EDMP preparation by GP with Mental Health Skills Training (40+ mins)
Reviewing an Existing EDMP
Item NumberDescription
90264EDMP review
90265EDMP review by GP with Mental Health Skills Training
The 12-Month Rule: Important Information for GPs
Common Medicare Pitfall
An Eating Disorder Management Plan operates within a fixed 12-month period.
Unlike Mental Health Treatment Plans, an EDMP cannot simply be reviewed indefinitely.
Key points:
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An EDMP remains active for 12 months from the date it is prepared.
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GP review items (90264/90265) can only be used within that 12-month period.
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Once the 12 months has elapsed, the EDMP expires.
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A review cannot be used to reactivate an expired EDMP.
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If ongoing treatment is required after 12 months, a new EDMP must be prepared.
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A new EDMP generally cannot be prepared early simply because all treatment sessions have been used.
Example
EDMP prepared: 1 February 2026
The patient accesses all psychology sessions by October 2026.
The patient cannot receive a new EDMP in October simply because the sessions have been exhausted.
The existing EDMP remains active until 31 January 2027.
A new EDMP can then be prepared from 1 February 2027 if clinically indicated.
Psychology Sessions Under an EDMP
Eligible patients may access:
Up to 40 Psychology Sessions Per Year
Psychology treatment is typically provided in stages, with GP reviews required throughout treatment.
Patients do not automatically receive all 40 sessions at once.
Additional treatment sessions require ongoing review and documentation.
Sessions 21–40
To access psychology sessions beyond the initial allocation, patients generally require:
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GP review, and
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Psychiatrist or paediatrician review
before additional treatment can be accessed.
Referring to Melbourne Psychology & Counselling
When referring a patient under an EDMP, please include:
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Copy of the EDMP
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Diagnosis
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Relevant medical history
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Current medications
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Risk concerns
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Previous treatment history
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Any relevant dietetic, psychiatric or paediatric involvement
We provide evidence-based treatment for:
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Anorexia Nervosa
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Bulimia Nervosa
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Binge Eating Disorder
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OSFED
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ARFID
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OCD and eating disorders
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Anxiety, perfectionism and body image concerns
Telehealth appointments are available Australia-wide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a patient have both an EDMP and a Mental Health Treatment Plan?
In some circumstances, yes. Different Medicare rules apply and services cannot be double-counted. Current Medicare guidance should be consulted when determining the most appropriate referral pathway.
How often should an EDMP be reviewed?
Regular reviews are required throughout treatment to support ongoing access to psychology and dietetic services.
What happens after 12 months?
The EDMP expires. If treatment is still required, a new EDMP can be prepared and a new treatment cycle can begin.
Can psychology be provided via telehealth?
Yes. Eligible psychology services can be provided via telehealth where Medicare requirements are met.
Need More Information?
If you are unsure whether your patient may be eligible for an EDMP referral, feel free to contact our clinic. We are happy to discuss referral pathways and treatment options for patients experiencing eating disorders.
Valid Referrals
Referrals may be in letter form or simply a copy of the MHTP (as long as it contains all required elements below). Referrals do not expire but are only valid for as long as the number of sessions referred (maximum of 6).
Example 1: Patient receives a referral for 6 sessions in 2025, and later a subsequent referral for an additional 6 sessions. The treating psychologist is responsible for ensuring that only 4 of these sessions are used in 2025. The remaining 2 sessions from that referral will carry over and can be used in 2026, before the client needs to return to their GP for a new referral.
Example 2: Patient received referral for 10 sessions in 2026. Each referral is valid for a maximum of 6 sessions, so after session 6 the patient must be reviewed by the GP (using GP items 23, 36) and a new referral for up to 6 sessions provided to the patient.
Referral Validity Requirements
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Date of referral
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Patient’s name, date of birth, and address
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Patient’s mental health diagnosis (or specific symptoms)
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A statement that a Mental Health Treatment Plan has been prepared
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Number of sessions the patient is being referred for (max 6)
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GP name
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GP Medicare Provider Number
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GP signature
Subsequent Referrals (From 1 Nov 2025)
From the 1st November 2025, there are no mental health specific review items (MBS Items 2712 and 2713 are discontinued).
Instead, GPs can use standard General Attendance items (e.g., MBS Item 23, 36 etc) to consult with the patient about their mental health, and issue any required re-referral for further psychology sessions.
A patient's Medicare rebate is only dependent on the MHTP date and item number (not the re-referral date). As long as a valid MHTP is in place, rebates will be processed by Medicare. Before processing rebates for patients, it is up to the treating psychologist to ensure that the client has a valid referral letter for each course of treatment.