Mental Health

WentWest provides support to general practice and the community through resources, education and practice visits on Mental Health. In particular, the Better Access initiative provides Mental Health patients with greater care, by increasing community access to allied mental health professionals.

Access to Allied Psychological Services (ATAPS)

WentWest provides GPs working in the WentWest area, covering Auburn, Parramatta, Holroyd and Blacktown including Mt Druitt, access to psychological services from qualified Allied Health Professionals (AHP) to support patients who would otherwise be disadvantaged in accessing these services.

Eligibility criteria

For a patient to be eligible for a referral into the ATAPS program they need to hold a current health care card or be of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent. A copy of the patient’s health care card must be provided to WentWest when being referred.

The program targets:

• Low income earners
• Culturally and linguistically diverse populations
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups
• Adolescent Health.

The steps for referring patients through WentWest ATAPS program:

• The GP will be required to pick an Allied Health Professional that is registered with WentWest's ATAPS program. The list will be supplied by WentWest;
• To refer GPs must:

1. Complete a GP Mental Health Care Plan

2. Complete the WentWest Minimum Data Set and the Patient Privacy and Consent Form

3. Take a photocopy of the patient’s health care card and fax the forms back to WentWest confidential fax line (02) 8208 9941;

• At this point the GP will bill a GP Mental Health Care Plan (2710) and, if desired, fax a copy of the plan to the AHP;
• Eligible patients are entitled to twelve sessions with an Allied Health Professional with the option for a further six psychological sessions as required;
• There is no cost to the patient;
• All GPs can refer into the program;
• The Allied Health Professionals include psychologists, social workers and Mental Health nurses.

GPs wanting to refer into the ATAPS must notify WentWest. Please contact WentWest on (02) 8811 7100 or email: ataps@wentwest.com and your Area Services Coordinator will be able to further assist you with the ATAPS procedure.

Perinatal ATAPS

The Access to Allied Psychological Services (ATAPS) program has expanded to include the National Perinatal Depression Initiative (NPDI). The program targets expectant and new mothers suffering from ante and post natal depression and aims to:

• Improve prevention and early detection of antenatal and postnatal depression;
• Provide better care, support and treatment for perinatal depression.

GPs are now able to refer suitable patients suffering from perinatal depression for individual psychological sessions at HealthOne Mount Druitt as well as through other perinatal ATAPS registered providers. If you would like further information please contact WentWest on 8811 7100. 

Better Access and New Referral Pathways

• All GPs, including those from non-accredited practices can refer patients who are being managed under the mental health care plan through Better Access;
• GPs can refer patients to Clinical Psychologist, Psychologist Social Workers and Occupational Therapists, who are registered with Medicare Australia;
• All patients who are assessed as having a Mental Health Disorder as defined in the MBS are eligible for services under the initiative;
• Eligible patients are entitled to up to twelve Medicare rebated psychological services, with the GP Mental Health Care Plan Review after the first six sessions. Twelve group therapy sessions are also available to eligible patients.

Focussed Psychological Strategies In General Practice

Focussed Psychological Strategies (FPS) are specific mental health care treatment strategies, derived from evidence based psychological therapies. They have been shown to integrate the best psychological research evidence of clinical effectiveness with general practice clinical expertise. The medicare billing scheduele states that the following interventions are appropriate for delivery under the FPS item numbers.

Psycho-education

• Motivational interviewing

Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy including:

• Behaviour modification
• Exposure techniques
• Activity scheduling
• Cognitive interventions
• Cognitive therapy
• Behavioural Interventions

 

Relaxation strategies

• Progressive muscle relaxation
• Controlled breathing

 

Skills training

• Problem solving skills and training
• Anger management
• Social skills training
• Communication training
• Stress Management  
• Parent management training

 

Interpersonal Therapy (especially for depression)

 

What are the benefits of being a GP provider of FPS?

GP providers of FPS are able to access four additional MBS Item Numbers for the provision of FPS.

 

What are the requirements for becoming a provider of FPS?

GPs need to successfully complete a Mental Health Skills Training (MHST) course and an FPS skills training course to register as a provider of FPS.

The MBS item numbers associated with the provision of FPS by a GP can only be claimed by a GP providing the service from in a General Practice that is accredited or, participating in the Practice Incentive Program (PIP).

When can I use the FPS items?

FPS can be provided by a GP registered as a provider of FPS with Medicare Australia. FPS should be provided as part of an integrated GP Mental Health Care Plan, which may be completed by the GP providing the FPS, or by another practitioner who has referred the patient for FPS.

Patients will in general be permitted to claim Medicare rebates for up to 12 allied mental health services (comprising two groups of up to six sessions) under these item numbers per calendar year and each session must have a minimum duration of 30 minutes. The 12 services may consist of GP Focussed Psychological Strategies services (items 2721 to 2727).

The referring practitioner may consider that in exceptional circumstances the patient may require an additional six services above those already provided (to a maximum total of 18 individual services per patient per calendar year). Exceptional circumstances are defined as a significant change in the patient's clinical condition or care circumstances which make it appropriate and necessary to increase the maximum number of services. 

FPS MBS Item Numbers:  

Item Number	Description	Fee
2721	FPS Attendance 30-40 minutes	$87.50
2725	FPS Extended Attendance 40+ minutes	$125.20
2723	FPS attendance (out-of-surgery consultation) (Professional attendance at a place other than consulting rooms)	The fee for item 2721, plus $24.50 divided by the number of patients seen, up to a maximum of six patients. For seven or more patients, the fee for item 2721 plus $1.85 per patient.
2727	FPS extended attendance (out-of-surgery consultation) (Professional attendance at a place other than consulting rooms)	The fee for item 2725, plus $24.50 divided by the number of patients seen, up to a maximum of six patients. For seven or more patients, the fee for item 2725 plus $1.85 per patient.

How to register as a provider of FPS with the General Practice Mental Health Standards Collaboration (GPMHSC)

GPs who wish to register as a provider of FPS need to apply by completing the application GPMHSC application form. For more information or to apply, please visit the RACGP website.

 

Applicants are required to provide supporting documentation which demonstrates completion of both a Mental Health Skills Training course and a Focussed Psychological Strategies Skills Training course, as accredited by the GPMHSC.

Applications are assessed by the GPMHSC, and eligible applicants forwarded to Medicare Australia for registration, usually within 10 days of receipt.

For further information please contact WentWest on (02) 8811 7100.

Links and Resources                                                        

• A GP Guide for Mental Health
• Patient Pathways Flowchart
• GP Fees and Patient Rebates
• GP Mental Health Treatment Plan

More Information

To find out more about Mental Health, contact your WentWest Area Services Coordinator on (02) 8811 7100 or email: support@wentwest.com.au for further assistance.

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