Australians: What Does The Lnp Government Mean For Therapy Access Under Medicare?

[Padfoot]

As above, what will the LNP mean for access to therapy services under Medicare? Will Medicare Local be scrapped? Will the rebates be removed? What do you think this will mean for the future of meantal health services?

 

[ms spock]

Not sure at this stage.

 

[ashdawn8287]

I sure hope therapy and all that is not scrapped for you guys under Medicare. I will keep this in my thoughts and prayers.

<3

 

[maddog]

I'm not aware of any planned changes at this point, certainly haven't heard it raised as an issue of potential change under new Government. To that end, I would anticipate status quo for now until or unless we hear otherwise.

Maddog

 

[who am i kim]

We need all the assistance we can get, medications and doctors are not cheap and we have to see them long term. I have seen in the chemist a petition for the Pharmecticals Benefits Scheme, maybe something happening to that. If that happened I would have to consider which medications are more important. Medications are definately expensive.

 

[Padfoot]

I'm hoping that there will be no change, or at least no negative change. I'm happy in a way because LNP didn't really pick up that much, ALP lost a lot to Independents and minor parties which means there should be a good balance of power in the Senate. I just worry about health care under a Liberal leader.

 

[Queen Boudica]

Go to the site Alliance for Better Access that is campaigning for restoration of the medicare funded access to pyschological care back up to the bare minimum required of 18-20 sessions per year.

The liberals introduced medicare funded sessions to psychologist. The Labour government cut it down to 10 sessions which is totally inadequate and promised big things from ATAPS which has not happened.

The liberals have announced their mental health care program but no mention of medicare support for better access. Much hype about Headspace which is for 25 year olds and under. If you are past that age you are not supposed to have mental health issues I guess or be rich enough to afford private access.

Interestingly, psychiatric care is funded by medicare at 50 sessions a year. So if you want meds you are fine but most psychiatrists do not do the required CBT.

 

[Padfoot]

For me it's covered by VOC for now, and we're moving to a place with a free sexual assault clinic but I know the Howard government tried to shut down this clinic and others like it so not sure what will happen this time.

I'm well past 25, and since Head Space is for 12 to 25, my daughter is 2 years off being able to go there. In face, there are no services for her that are remotely affordable. She's covered by VOC as well at this stage, but not sure how long for. She's doing alright though, she stayed in her room and I got him out of the room, he didn't hurt me in sight on her. She can access the free service at 16, I do worry about the affect once she reaches puberty and gains a full understanding of what happened.

My brother sees a free psychologist but he's proven himself in a bad way to me already. He can't be trusted, although my brother likes him so he continues to see him.

 

[Queen Boudica]

The Alliance for Better Access - ie medicare funded psychology sessions, is trying to lobby for at least a restoration of the Medicare funded sessions to 18 a year. Please if you are passionate about this join the campaign and let your voice be heard. We need as many voices as possible campaigning for this.

http://betteraccess.net/

You can also join the facebook group.

 

[Zemi]

I thought from reading about it that currently you could only get six funded visits (could never find out what the rebate actually was?) so never tried since six is no help ... 18 or more would be so much better .... any more would be better

 

[Padfoot]

It was initially 6 then a further 6 on review, so 12 per year but now it's 10 per year. There is no Ministry for Mental Health anymore. It's a concern.

 

[Queen Boudica]

Actually it was initially 18 when they introduced it, 6 initial, 6 on review and another 6. The labour government suddenly cut it down to 10 in November of Nov 2011 and then the greens protested and you could get another 6 on top of the 12 in 2012 if you had 'exceptional circumstances". That was only for that year and then it dropped down to 10 and rumours before the election were they would cut it down to 6.

A complete and utter farce. 6 sessions is totally useless. As is 10 and, for anyone with complex issues, 16 or even 18 is totally inadequate. For people over 25 you are left high and dry unless you pay privately.