discobay

Does Medicare provide financial assistance in terms of bulk-billing for visits to Psychiatrists?

IvanM

I doubt bulk billing but as they are qualified consultants there will be a partial refund. There is also a scheme for psychologists but is is limited to a certain number of visits. Again a partial refund.

Good luck.

discobay

Thanks. I'll check out the private medical health providers.

moneypenny20

From this year's Medicare Booklet:

63—
Section 1: Medicare Part A and Part B
Part B-Covered Services (continued)
Mental Health Care (outpatient): To get help with mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety. Includes services generally given outside a hospital or in a hospital outpatient setting, including visits with a psychiatrist or other doctor, clinical psychologist, nurse practitioner, physician’s assistant, clinical nurse specialist, or clinical social worker; substance abuse services; and lab tests. Certain limits and conditions apply.
What you pay will depend on whether you’re being diagnosed and monitored or whether you’re getting treatment.
• For visits to a doctor or other health care provider
to diagnose your condition, you pay 20% of the
Medicare‑approved amount.
• For outpatient treatment of your condition (such as counseling or psychotherapy), you pay 45% of the Medicare-approved amount in 2011. This coinsurance amount will continue to decrease over the next 3 years.
The Part B deductible applies for both visits to diagnose or treat your condition.

IvanM

FYI Private health will not pay anthing unless the treatment is in hospital and that does not include the consulting rooms. Even then they only pay half of what medicare pays.

discobay

Thanks to both of you.

spalen

Once you reach 2000$ spend you get 80%+ back from that and everything else. Make sure you and your family are registered for medicare safety net. Its ridiculous but you do have to register it shoudl be automatic but you have to rin gup.

aston

-yes you can claim on medicare..180 bucks,,120 back...trust me i know..

IvanM

Different providers charge different amounts. The initial consult will also cost more than follow up appointments.

spalen

and after you hit the 2000$ threshold on medicare - that changes to something like 90% of the amount being refunded as far as i recall, works on private or public whichever snake oil specialist you choose.

IvanM

The safety net threshold is based on out of hospital net medical expenses. The threshold is lower if you get FTB part A.