Better Access

From 1 November 2025, Medicare benefits will only be payable for Better Access services where the mental health treatment plan, review of the mental health treatment plan and referrals has been undertaken at a patient’s MyMedicare registered practice or by their usual medical practitioner.

A patient’s usual medical practitioner is someone who has provided the majority of services to the person in the past 12 months or who is likely to provide the majority of services to the person in the following 12 months. This includes other GPs and PMPs who are employed at the patient’s usual medical practice. 

• It is important to note that patients can choose to see their usual medical practitioner irrespective of their existing MyMedicare registered status. This is because patients may choose to seek mental health support through a separate GP or PMP for a wide variety of reasons, and these changes will not impact the ability for patients to continue to do this. 

If a patient is registered with a MyMedicare practice but wishes to see a GP at another practice (e.g. a headspace GP) as they consider them to be their ‘usual medical practitioner’ for their mental health support needs, there is nothing precluding the patient from doing so because of the changes coming in to affect. 

Transition arrangements will be in place for 2 years to ensure current patients don’t lose access to services under MHTP plans prepared prior to 1 November 2025.