Better Outcomes in Mental Health Care Program

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The Better Outcomes in Mental Health Program (Better Outcomes) is a Commonwealth Government funded project that facilitates access to Allied Health Services for clients with a mental illness. The program enables GPs to access focused psychological strategies (FPS) from suitably qualified Allied Health Professionals to support their patients with mental health problems.

Since the introduction of the 'Better Access to Mental Health Care program', some aspects of the Better Outcomes program have changed since it was first introduced in 2001.

Currently the Better Outcomes Program has three components:

1.      Focused psychological strategies (FPS) - specific mental health care treatment strategies derived from evidence based psychological therapies. Focused psychological strategies can be provided by GPs registered with Medicare Australia as having completed Level 1 and Level 2 training and working from an accredited practice or alternately through Access to Allied Psychological Services (ATAPS).

The strategies approved under the program are limited to:

·        Psycho-education

·        Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

·        Interpersonal Therapy.

2.      Access to Allied Psychological Services (ATAPS) - enables GPs to refer consumers to allied health professionals who deliver focused psychological strategies. ATAPS enables GPs under the Better Outcomes program to refer patients to Allied Health Professionals (AHP) who deliver focused psychological strategies.

Allied Health Professionals have been defined to include:

·        Psychologists

·        Clinical Psychologists

·        Social Workers

·        Mental Health Nurses

·        Occupational therapists

·        Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers with specific mental health qualifications.

Through ATAPS, patients are eligible for a maximum of 12 sessions per calendar year - six time-limited sessions with an option for a further six sessions following a mental health review by the referring GP. Sessions can be individual and/or group therapy sessions. ATAPS aims to provide patients with assistance for short-term intervention. If further sessions are required it may mean that the patient needs a longer term program to meet his/her needs.

3.      GP Psych Support - provides GPs with access to patient management from specialists in both child & adolescent and drug & alcohol psychiatry.

To access GP Psych Support:

·        Phone: 1800 200 588 - GPs will be asked some brief questions concerning the enquiry and a psychiatrist will return the call within 24 hours.

·        Fax: 1800 012 422 - Using the faxback form GPs are required to provide details regarding the issue for discussion. A psychiatrist will then fax or phone the GP to discuss case details.

·        Website: http://www.psychsupport.com.au is a secure and password protected website. Log in and submit questions online. For username and password, call 1800 200 588. 

GP Psych Support is operated by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners through funding from the Department of Health and Ageing.

How to refer a patient with a diagnosed mental health condition to an Allied Health Professional (AHP)?

The referral process is similar for both the Better Access (private AHP) and Better Outcomes (MGPN Psychologists) programs, however GP’s must claim MBS item number 2710 for referrals under the Better Access program to activate the AHP Medicare account for the referred patient. See the GP Care Flowchart for further explanation.

  • Before a GP is able to refer under the Better Outcomes program, the GP is required to conduct a mental health assessment and prepare a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan. For the preparation of the GP Mental Health Care Plan the GP can claim MBS item number 2710. Subsequent mental health consultations by the GP can be claimed under MBS item number 2713.
  • After six sessions with the Allied Health Professional (AHP), the AHP must prepare a report to assist the GP in preparing a GP Mental Health review and determine whether a further six treatment sessions are indicated. For the GP mental Health review the GP can claim MBS item number 2712.
  • At the conclusion of treatment the AHP must provide a report for the GP.

Finding your local Allied Health Professional:

For more information consult the following websites:

 

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