Psychologists say many mentally ill Australians are missing out on adequate care or cutting back on treatment six months after the government halved the number of psychology sessions people can access through Medicare.
“We have been waiting since the end of 2022 for advice from government on care options for these patients with more complex conditions and we are now nearing a crisis point,” she said.when he cut the number of Medicare-covered psychology sessions from 20 to 10 a year, ending a COVID measure introduced by the former Coalition government.
, were the most affected. “The patients who are more able and affluent can continue with care, but the people who rely on bulk billing are left with very few options,” he said. “In a cost-of-living crisis patients shouldn’t have to choose between paying for their treatment and other essentials. It typically takes patients longer than 10 hours of treatment for common issues like major depression or the loss of a loved one, and the government needs to follow the evidence or risk falling further behind international standards.”
Butler said the government was determined to strengthen the mental health system, and had laid the groundwork for reform in the May budget with a $93 million workforce investment.