Access to Allied Psychological Services Mental Health Nurse Program Eastern Health Primary Mental Health Team GP Mental Health MBS Items
What is Access to Allied Psychological Services (ATAPS)? The ATAPS program is funded by the Department of Health and Ageing and managed locally by Inner East Melbourne Medicare Local. ATAPS provides access to low-cost psychological services for the treatment of common mental health problems. It is targeted at people on low income who would otherwise be unable to afford services under the MBS Better Access program. Please note: patients cannot access sessions under both the MBS Better Access program and ATAPS in the same calendar year. GPs and their patients must choose either Medicare or ATAPS, based on eligibility. Who can refer? Any GP practicing in the Inner East Melbourne Medicare Local catchment may refer patients to our ATAPS program. Who is eligible for ATAPS? To be eligible for ATAPS patients must be on a low income.
ATAPS is primarily targeted at people with a diagnosed high prevalence disorders (for example, depression or anxiety).
It may also be appropriate for: • Women experiencing perinatal mental health issues • Children under 12 experiencing behavioural problems • People with severe mental illness where specific issues can be addressed by short-term focussed psychological strategies
Patients must have a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan in place. What treatment does ATAPS provide? Patients are referred to a Mental Health Professional (Psychologist, Clinical Psychologist, Mental Health Social Worker or Occupational Therapist) who is registered to deliver ATAPS services with Inner East Melbourne Medicare Local. The patient will receive up to six sessions of focussed psychological strategies. A second referral may be made for a further six sessions if recommended by the provider. Under exceptional circumstances a third referral may be made. Exceptional circumstances refers to the diagnosis of a new mental health problem or a new and significant life event impacting on mental wellbeing. How does a GP refer to ATAPS? To access the service, GPs complete a Mental Health Treatment Plan with the patient, choose a provider from our Provider Directory (PDF 804KB) and call Clinical Services Intake at IEMML on 8878 3714. We’ll issue a voucher number covering six sessions. This helps us to track the referral without needing to record the patient’s details. All the providers in our directory have been through an approval process and are required to send a progress report to the referring GP. If the provider recommends further sessions GPs can re-refer for another voucher. For further information, see the resources below or contact: Peter Gartside on 8878 3718. GP Resources • ATAPS Provider Directory (PDF 804KB) • Patient Information leaflet (PDF 112KB) • Referral Process (PDF 19KB) • Medicare items for GP Mental Health Treatment Plans: 2011-12 budget measure (PDF 46KB) Allied Health Professionals In line with Inner East Melbourne Medicare Local’s remit to plan services according to population need and identified gaps, we are currently assessing our ATAPS provider list to ensure we have the right mix of skills and geographical spread. For this reason, until further notice we are not seeking to add to our current provider list. Useful Links • Department of Health and Ageing ATAPS Overview • GP Mental Health Treatment Medicare Items • Better Access - 1 February 2012 announcement of further changes
IEMML has a team of experienced Mental Health Nurses who support GPs to manage the care of people with severe and persistent mental illness. The Mental Health Nurses’ role is to: • Assess, develop and review Treatment Plans • Administer K10 and HoNOS tools • Establish a therapeutic relationship with the patient • Liaise closely with family and carers as appropriate • Regularly review the patient’s mental state and level of risk • Administer, monitor and ensure adherence by patients with their medication • Be a point of reference for GPs in relation to psychotropic medications • Provide information on physical health care to patients • Link patients with other agencies and programs offering support We are happy to consider applications from GP practices in relation to accessing Mental Health Nurse support. The service is funded by Medicare and is free to practices. To discuss the Mental Health Nurse Program and how it might support your practice, please call Kate Cogan, Senior Mental Health Nurse on 8878 3737.
This multidisciplinary team provides a service to GPs who have patients experiencing depression, anxiety or related mental health issues for whom there are treatment challenges due to complex issues or where interventions have only had partial success. Such patients may benefit from a comprehensive mental health assessment and brief mental health intervention to assist with: • Diagnostic clarification • Treatment recommendations • Navigation of community support services • Short term shared care support and joint care planning The Primary Mental Health Team: • provides comprehensive mental health assessments of patients with high prevalence disorders working in a shared care model in the GP practice • has a multidisciplinary team including a consultant psychiatrist who has input into all assessments • is available for secondary consultation over the phone • is a free service. To make a referral call 9875 1600 or visit the Eastern Health website for more information and to download our fax referral form.
On 1 February 2012 the government announced an amendment to the earlier decision to limit MBS Better Access sessions to ten per calendar year. Until the end of 2012, it will be possible for patients to access a further 6 sessions per calendar year under exceptional circumstances. This does not affect the changes to GP Mental Health MBS items introduced from 1 November 2011. A GP Mental Health Treatment Plan is a prerequisite for access to Better Access and ATAPS services. However, it is not a requirement that a new Plan is done every year. Indeed, a new plan should not be prepared unless clinically required, and generally not within 12 months of a previous plan. Once developed, a plan can be updated when reviewed. In general, patients should not require more than two reviews in a 12 month period, with ongoing management through the GP Mental Health Treatment Consultation and standard consultation items, as required. Detailed guidance can be found at the MBS Online. MBS items and remunderation: • For GPs who have completed ‘level 1’ Mental Health Skills Training:
o Item 2715 – for a Treatment Plan taking between 20-39 minutes - $87.60 o Item 2717 – for a Treatment Plan taking 40 minutes or more - $129.00
• For GPs who have not completed ‘level 1’ Mental Health Skills Training:
o Item 2700 for a Treatment Plan taking between 20-39 minutes - $69.00 o Item 2701 for a Treatment Plan taking 40 minutes or more - $101.55
• Fees for a GP Mental Health Review (item 2712) and for Mental Health Consultation (Item 2713) are $69.00, regardless of the GP having done ‘level 1’ Mental Health Skills Training.