Free Counselling Available
Do you have low income patients who are in need of free counseling?
ERGPA have a lot of capacity to accept new referrals in the next few months to both Better Outcomes in Better Health Care, and for RA 2 practices, to the Rural Primary Health Service (old MAHS program).
BOiMHC is a program that provides 6+6 sessions of counseling from a psychologist to patients who have a Mental Health Care Treatment Plan. Note -You must use a psychologist registered with ERGPA, and this is for patients on low incomes (NOT necessarily Health care card holders). ERGPA pays the psychologist directly- there is no gap fee as in many Medicare funded services. An updated directory of registered psychologists will be sent to practices in late March.
Referrals are made by phoning Felicity Talha here at ERGPA on 9871 1000 who will fax you the referral form with a patient ID number and AHP referral form. Simply complete this form and fax it back, and send the AHP referral form and Mental Health Care Plan to the Psychologist.
Rural Primary Health Service (new MAHS program) - is a free service for patients from the newly classified RA2 practices who are in need of counseling. Six sessions are available with three contracted counselors providing this service. Simply fill in the old MAHS referral form, or use the new RPHS form which you can download HERE.
Referral to both of these programs is a great opportunity for your patients while funds are available.