Subsidized visits to psychologists will be cut in half within weeks as the new federal government scraps a program added at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Key points:
- The former government allowed people to have 20 subsidized psychologist visits
- New government says program has done little to help people in rural and socio-economically disadvantaged areas
- The Australian Psychological Society wanted the 10 additional visits to become permanent
Health Minister Mark Butler said patients could only claim Medicare reimbursements for 10 visits to a psychologist next year, compared to the 20 they have been able to access in recent years.
In August 2020, the number of sessions available through the Better Access program was temporarily increased from 10 to 20.
Mr Butler said that while the Better Access program had provided benefits to people who used it, not everyone had been able to access it in the same way.
“The assessment I’m releasing today took into account the impact of those 10 additional sessions and found that they resulted in a very large increase in service in this industry overall,” Butler said. .
“But it found that these 10 additional waiting lists made existing waiting lists worse and increased barriers to access, especially by (people in rural and socio-economically disadvantaged areas).
“The evaluation found that all additional services went to existing patients and the number of new patients who were able to enter the system and gain access to psychology services actually decreased by 7 percent.”
But the Better Access review did not recommend that the extra 10 be dropped.
Instead, he recommended patients undergo a review after 10 sessions, instead of the review that currently occurs after six visits.
“The 10 additional sessions should continue to be available and should be targeted towards people with complex mental health needs,” the review states.
“If the 10 additional sessions are selected, the examination could take place after the initial 10 sessions.
“However, alternative examination cadences may be recommended based on consumer need levels. Recommended examinations may also be supplemented by examinations carried out at the discretion of the GP, allied health professional and consumer, as a means collaboratively and in accordance with best practices.”
The ABC contacted Mr. Butler’s office about this recommendation.
At his previous press conference, the health minister said he would meet people from industry next year to make sure there was ‘fairness’ in the system.
The government in the face of criticism
The Coalition criticized the move, saying serious mental health issues are often at their highest two or three years after a major incident.
“As the Australian community continues to deal with the massive impact of the pandemic, natural disasters and increasing cost of living pressures, it is stunning that the Albanian government believes the time is right to cut life support. on mental health,” coalition health spokeswoman Anne Ruston said.
Suicide Prevention Australia chief executive Nieves Murray said she was concerned the changes could prevent people from seeking help.
“The decision to cut supplemental mental health supports at a time when interest rates are rising, housing pressure is mounting and distress is high is disconcerting and very concerning,” she said.
“While we support all changes to improve the Better Access program, it makes no sense to disable additional supports before these changes are developed.”
Just last week, the Australian Psychological Society (APS) called again for the extra visits to become permanent.
“APS’s position is that these sessions should be a permanent feature of the Better Access program,” it said in a statement.
“We maintain this position and will continue to defend it.”