Telehealth services

If you are booking a video consultation, a video link will be sent to your email to access the video consultation. To access telehealth consultations, you will need access to a quiet, private space; and the appropriate device, i.e. smartphone, laptop, iPad, computer, with a camera, microphone and speakers; and a reliable broadband internet connection.

The privacy of any form of communication via the internet is potentially vulnerable and limited by the security of the technology used. To support the security of your personal information, this practice uses end-to-end encryption telehealth software with strict privacy and security standards.

Limitations of telehealth

A telehealth consultation may be subject to limitations such as an unstable network connection which may affect the quality of the psychology session. In addition, there may be some services for which telehealth is not appropriate or effective. Your psychologist will consider and discuss with you the appropriateness of ongoing telehealth sessions.

Confidentiality

  • All information is stored securely in accordance with relevant legislation and ethical standards
  • Information provided by you or obtained from other parties (e.g. GP) is regarded as confidential and cannot be released without your written permission

The exceptions to these provisions arise in the following circumstances:

  • There is a risk of serious harm to yourself or others
  • Your file is subpoenaed by a court of law, or disclosure is otherwise required or authorised by law
  • There is evidence of child abuse or neglect, including sexual abuse of a child under 16 years
  •  If you, or someone legally authorised to act on your behalf, gives consent to disclose information.
    Should a decision to disclose information be made for any of the above reasons, all reasonable attempts will be made to discuss this with you prior to disclosure.

Payments

Payments are to be made in full on the day of the consultation. The Bluff Road Psychology reception team will retrieve and securely store your credit card details at the time of your booking and process the payment of your session on the same day.

The standard consultation fees are:
  • Individual telehealth session – $250 (Medicare rebate* of $88.25 – $129.55)
  • Individual face-to-face session (weekdays) – $250.00 (Medicare rebate* of $88.25 – $129.55)
  • Individual face-to-face session (after 6pm and weekends) – $265.00 (Medicare rebate* of $88.25 – $129.55)

*Medicare rebates are only available to clients with a current “GP Mental Health Care Plan”

  •  You may be able to claim a rebate through your private health insurance provider. Please advise reception if you intend to do this, and you will be provided with the relevant paperwork to forward to your provider
  • Clients eligible to have their costs subsidised by TAC or Workcover/Worksafe, are required to settle their account on the day of consultation. The client is solely responsible for claiming any reimbursements from various agencies.
  • Fees for report-writing and/or court attendance can be discussed on a case by case basis (note, this does NOT include standard letters to referring GP’s for which there is no additional fee)
  • As per Bluff Road Medical Centre policy, a $15.00 accounting fee will be charged if your account is not paid in full on the day of the consultation, and accounts referred to a debt collection agency or solicitor will incur a debt collection fee

Appointments

Appointments are 50 minutes in duration; your understanding and patience are kindly requested on rare occasions where your appointment commencement time may be slightly delayed. 30-minute appointments can be requested where clinically appropriate after an initial assessment with your psychologist has been conducted.

Agreement to accept responsibility for Medicare rebates

The Federal Government has introduced rebates for certain Psychology services when appropriately referred by a General Medical Practitioner (GP), Paediatrician or Psychiatrist. Relevant rebates will only be paid for Psychology services by Medicare where the referring medical practitioner has completed certain referral requirements, for example, has developed a “Mental Health Care Plan.” While we endeavour to ensure that we complete the procedures that are necessary for you to claim a rebate, it must be understood that we cannot be responsible for your eligibility for any claim for a Medicare rebate. This rests with the referring medical practitioner. If the referring medical practitioner has not completed any referral or review procedures correctly to enable your rebate to be accepted, you will remain liable for the full payment of any fees, and you hold the responsibility for resolving any errors with the referring medical practitioner or Medicare Australia. Additionally, we cannot be responsible for Medicare processing errors which may result in the delay of your rebate.