The Federal Government will invest $47.7M in next week’s budget to restore bulk billed video telehealth psychiatry consultations in regional and rural areas.
Health Minister, Mark Butler, said In December 2021, the former Government cut the ability for psychiatrists to deliver bulk billed telehealth consultations in rural and regional areas.
“The former Government’s cuts to regional mental health consultations during a pandemic were unconscionable,” he said.
“Our rural and regional communities have endured drought, bushfires, floods and the impacts of COVID-19 in recent years – a perfect storm of factors that have taken a significant toll on people’s mental health.
“The Federal Government is restoring these vital mental health services, making them affordable and accessible to people wherever they live.”
From November 1, Australians living in rural and regional areas and other eligible patients will once again have easier and more affordable access to critical mental health supports as the funding restores a 50 per cent fee loading to bulk billed Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) psychiatry services delivered by video telehealth.
Member for Dobell and Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Emma McBride, said the move would make a significant difference in the lives of people who live outside major cities, as well as First Nations Australians and aged care residents.
“Reinstating this Medicare rebate for bulk-billed video psychiatry consultations will help thousands of Australians to access the support they need for their mental health and wellbeing,” she said.
“Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, people in rural and regional Australia had higher rates of mental health related hospitalisation and suicide than those living in cities,” a spokesperson said.
“The cut of the previous loading meant many patients were forced to pay gap fees or give up treatment and some psychiatrists ceased to provide services in rural areas.”
Reinstating additional Medicare support for telehealth psychiatry mental health consultations is expected to support approximately 410,000 consultations over four years, and approximately 543,000 consultations over five years.
Primary source: Media release, Nov 17, 2022 Federal Government