FAQs
Medicare Requirements
We understand that the Medicare system is quite complicated, so we have provided some information below to help you better understand the system and our requirements as a private psychology clinic.
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If your doctor has referred you to Mindspan Clinic under a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP)/Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP), please read the following information:
Our Medicare Compliance Requirements
It is a mandatory requirement for GPs to provide a referral letter when referring a patient for a psychological service. A GP MHTP alone is not considered a referral, and therefore not sufficient for a psychologist to provide a service. Mindspan Clinic would appreciate being provided with both the referral letter and MHTP, which can be emailed to us by yourself or the medical practice.
Information Required in a Referral or Re-referral Letter
The following information is required for the referral letter to be valid:
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Date of referral
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Client’s name
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Client’s date of birth
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Client’s address
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Diagnosis/symptoms
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Request for services
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Number of sessions (optional)
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Referring doctor’s name
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Referring doctor’s provider number
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Referring doctor’s signature​​
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If any of the above information is missing, we will not be able to process Medicare rebates for you. As such, you will be asked to follow this up with your doctor/medical practice to obtain a valid referral.
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Note: It does not matter who the referral letter is addressed to. If you have already used some sessions with another psychologist and decide to change psychologists, you do not need to get a new referral letter.
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If your GP requires more information about reporting and referral requirements, please refer them to this website by the General Practice Mental Health Standards Collaboration.
Working with Children and Families
The following policies are in place at Mindspan Clinic to prioritise children's wellbeing, establish clear communication with families, and ensure we meet our legal and ethical obligations:
Shared Parental Responsibility
For a child to be seen at the clinic, both parents must provide their consent for treatment. If only one parent attends the initial appointment, Dr. Amy may reach out to the non-accompanying parent and invite them to be involved in therapy if appropriate. The potential involvement of the non-accompanying parent will be discussed with you before treatment can begin.
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Should one parent object to the child's treatment at the clinic, treatment will be ceased until there is agreement from both parents or there is a court order addressing the issue.
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​Please help us provide the best care for your child by providing all information regarding your family situation at your initial appointment, including a copy of any court orders and/or informing us of ongoing family court proceedings.​
One Parent has Sole Parental Responsibility
If there are court orders specifying that only one parent is responsible for making health decisions for the child, consent for treatment is only required from that parent. If this is the case, please provide a copy of these court orders to the clinic prior to your initial appointment.
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Note: We do not take referrals where the purpose of assessment and treatment is to generate information for legal decision-making regarding the child's living arrangements and/or time with each parent (visitation).
Email Communication Between Sessions
It is common for parents to want to communicate with their child's psychologist between sessions. Some common reasons include providing an update on your child or the other parent, seeking advice and support, or wanting an update on treatment progress. We do not recommend you convey sensitive information over email, as it is not confidential.
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As Mindspan Clinic is a part-time clinic, our virtual admin team will upload your email to your child's file and Dr. Amy will respond to your email when she is next in the clinic. While she is unable to provide support or an update via email, she will ​offer to schedule either a joint session with yourself and your child or a parent-only session.
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For separated parents, any emails about your child will need to have both parents CC'd to ensure open communication, otherwise Dr. Amy will not be able to respond.
Mindspan Clinic
27 Portman Street, Zetland NSW 2017
P: 0466 458 256 (calls only)
F: 02 9185 3580
We respectfully acknowledge the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation as the traditional owners of the land on which we work and live. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present, and emerging.