For Referrers
Understanding MHTPs, Referrals, and Medicare Requirements
Updated with 1 Nov 2025 Changes
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The Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP)
Expiry: A MHTP does not expire and patient's do not need a new MHTP every year. The MHTP remains active and valid until it is clinically appropriate for the GP to update it (e.g., due to changes in treatment needs, symptoms, diagnoses, GP review, etc.).
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Billing: Referrers cannot bill a brand-new MHTP within a year of the most recent MHTP. Once the MHTP is billed to Medicare, the patient becomes eligible for Medicare rebates when referred to a psychologist.
Refer to the flowchart below to consider which MBS Item for a MHTP is appropriate. Click the image to download the full BAMH User Guide from PHN. ​​
Subsequent Referrals (From 1 Nov 2025)
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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.
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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).
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
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For further clarification on the changes above, please refer to the PHN Better Access Guide and MBS Online Guide.