I’ve been playing the psychiatrist waiting game too but strongly recommend getting as many referrals out there as possible at least starting with general psych and not just ADHD specialists. I got lucky after pushing my GP to send more referrals out, ever though it was just for general psych it turns out there are other psychiatrists that don’t advertise as specialising in ADHD per se (because they’d be swamped), but can still actually do the assessment and prescribe medications accordingly, and are reasonably familiar with differential diagnosis. (I quite specifically didn’t want to start off with a specialist but somehow have ended up on this track) I got my first appointment within 8 weeks of my renewed push, x1 followup after 3 weeks and final assessment 6 days after ( next Monday).
Two things - firstly check what MBS item number each appointment will be under. The actual diagnosis appointment where they give you a treatment plan should be an Item 291 which has a much higher Medicare rebate - $427.75. That might make the fee less scary, if that’s the $1000 appt… If it can’t be done in one session they may use a combination of Item 296 (rebate of $246.00) and Item 306 (rebate of $173.60) first.
Second, don’t forget to check your Safety Net threshold for the year by logging into Medicare. It’s easy to hit it reasonably quick if you’ve been doing psychology sessions with large out of pocket fees. Once you hit it the psychiatrist sessions are heaps cheaper. I hit my threshold in June so was out of pocket $45.80 for my first psychiatry session (item 296) and $60.25 for my second (Item 306) - both over an hour long, and very extensive, cost $475 each.
Thank you so much for taking the time to write that and for sharing your experience. The response I got from the psychiatrist’s office did mention the Item 291 rebate, and that was in the context of an “opinion only” referral, which, if I understand correctly, means the GP manages the medication going forward. If I have follow-ups with the psych it’s $375 a session, with $125 rebated. I’ll check out the Safety Net, I wasn’t aware of it. Thanks again.
De nada, it’s such a confusing mess that I’m happy to share what I know. You’re absolutely right about your original point that it’s still so cost prohibitive to get mental health support thigh.
I’ve been playing the psychiatrist waiting game too but strongly recommend getting as many referrals out there as possible at least starting with general psych and not just ADHD specialists. I got lucky after pushing my GP to send more referrals out, ever though it was just for general psych it turns out there are other psychiatrists that don’t advertise as specialising in ADHD per se (because they’d be swamped), but can still actually do the assessment and prescribe medications accordingly, and are reasonably familiar with differential diagnosis. (I quite specifically didn’t want to start off with a specialist but somehow have ended up on this track) I got my first appointment within 8 weeks of my renewed push, x1 followup after 3 weeks and final assessment 6 days after ( next Monday).
Two things - firstly check what MBS item number each appointment will be under. The actual diagnosis appointment where they give you a treatment plan should be an Item 291 which has a much higher Medicare rebate - $427.75. That might make the fee less scary, if that’s the $1000 appt… If it can’t be done in one session they may use a combination of Item 296 (rebate of $246.00) and Item 306 (rebate of $173.60) first.
Second, don’t forget to check your Safety Net threshold for the year by logging into Medicare. It’s easy to hit it reasonably quick if you’ve been doing psychology sessions with large out of pocket fees. Once you hit it the psychiatrist sessions are heaps cheaper. I hit my threshold in June so was out of pocket $45.80 for my first psychiatry session (item 296) and $60.25 for my second (Item 306) - both over an hour long, and very extensive, cost $475 each.
Thank you so much for taking the time to write that and for sharing your experience. The response I got from the psychiatrist’s office did mention the Item 291 rebate, and that was in the context of an “opinion only” referral, which, if I understand correctly, means the GP manages the medication going forward. If I have follow-ups with the psych it’s $375 a session, with $125 rebated. I’ll check out the Safety Net, I wasn’t aware of it. Thanks again.
De nada, it’s such a confusing mess that I’m happy to share what I know. You’re absolutely right about your original point that it’s still so cost prohibitive to get mental health support thigh.