Mental Health
GP Mental Health Treatment Plan
Mental health is a vital part of your overall wellbeing, influencing how you think, feel, and handle stress. At Narangba Station Medical Centre, we understand the importance of caring for both mind and body, and we're here to support your mental health journey with compassionate, professional care.
Taking the first step toward mental health support can feel challenging, but it’s essential for maintaining a balanced, healthy life. Whether you're seeking guidance for a specific mental health condition or simply want to discuss emotional wellbeing, our team of GPs are here to provide you with a comprehensive mental health support plan tailored to your needs.
Book a Consultation today.
Book a consultation with our supportive GPs today to start your journey toward improved mental health and wellbeing. Call us on (07) 3521 4333, click below to book online, or download the AMS Connect app to schedule an appointment.
Opening Hours
We're open 7 days a week with late-night availability on Tuesdays and Thursdays. In addition, weekend appointments are also available to all patients.
Your wellbeing matters.
We’re here to help you navigate mental health challenges with a holistic approach to care. Schedule your consultation today and take the first step toward feeling better.
Importance of Mental Health
Mental health is foundational to overall wellbeing, impacting everything from relationships and physical health to work and personal growth. Prioritising mental health is not just about treating illness—it’s about enhancing resilience and improving quality of life. At Narangba Station Medical Centre, we’re committed to supporting you in taking proactive steps toward mental wellness.
What is Mental Illness?
Mental illness refers to a broad range of conditions that affect mood, thinking, and behaviour. According to the Better Access Initiative, a mental illness can vary in severity and duration, ranging from conditions like anxiety and depression to more complex illnesses. The Better Access Initiative helps provide Medicare benefits for eligible mental health services, enabling access to mental health treatment plans with GPs, psychologists, and other medical practitioners. This initiative ensures that individuals get timely and affordable mental health care, contributing to better outcomes and enhanced access to essential services.
Mental illnesses eligible under Better Access include:
- Acute psychotic disorders
- Adjustment illness
- Alcohol-use disorders
- Bereavement disorders
- Bipolar illness
- Chronic psychotic disorders
- Conduct illness
- Depression
- Dissociative (conversion) illness
- Drug-use disorders
- Eating disorders
- Enuresis
- Generalised anxiety
- Hyperkinetic (attention deficit) illness
- Mental illness, not otherwise specified
- Mixed anxiety and depression
- Neurasthenia
- Panic illness
- Phobic disorders
- Sexual disorders
- Sleep problems
- Unexplained somatic complaints
Some mental health conditions, such as dementia and illnesses related to tobacco use, aren’t covered under the Better Access initiative. However, our GPs can still help patients manage these conditions if they also have a mental illness. For example, if a patient is dealing with both memory issues and a mental health condition, our GPs at Narangba Station Medical Centre take a comprehensive approach, addressing both needs to provide well-rounded care.
GP Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP)
A GP Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) is a structured plan developed between you and our experienced GPs, designed to address your mental health needs. During a consultation, your GP will discuss your mental health history, current concerns, and treatment options. This plan provides a roadmap for ongoing support and care, including referrals to specialists or mental health professionals if needed.
GP MHTP Preparation and Review
When a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) is created, it activates eligibility for Medicare funding through the Better Access initiative. Because of this, a new plan is typically only prepared when it’s clinically needed to address significant changes in the patient’s situation.
Most patients continue with the same MHTP over time, with the GP updating it as necessary to reflect any changes in treatment or goals. In some cases, such as a major shift in the patient’s circumstances or if care is transferred to a new GP, it may be appropriate to develop a new plan.
Once an MHTP is in place, it’s important to schedule at least one formal review, ideally between four weeks and six months after the plan is created. If needed, a second review can happen three months after the first one. For most patients, two formal reviews within a year are sufficient to ensure balanced, effective mental health care.
A review of a GP MHTP under MBS item 2712 is applicable not only in standalone cases but also when managing a patient under a referred psychiatrist assessment and management plan (MBS item 291). Generally, MBS item 2712 shouldn't be claimed within four weeks of a referred psychiatrist assessment and management plan (MBS item 291). Notably, GPs have the flexibility to use alternative MBS item numbers like 23, 36, and 44 for reviewing GPMHTPs, ensuring a tailored and comprehensive approach to patient care.
Rest assured, our team at Narangba Station Medical Centre will guide you through every step of the way.
MHTP Referrals
With an MHTP, you may be referred to other mental health professionals, such as psychologists or psychiatrists, who specialise in your specific needs. These referrals are a valuable part of your support network, providing additional expertise and therapies to support your journey to mental wellness.
When referring a patient for psychological services, our GPs must provide a referral letter in addition to the Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP), as the plan alone doesn’t serve as a referral.
The MBS guidelines specify that referrals to allied health professionals, such as psychologists, can be in the form of a signed and dated letter or email. This can be addressed directly to a named psychologist or simply to “the psychologist.” The referral needs to be received by the psychologist at the first consultation and, under the Better Access initiative, typically covers six sessions unless otherwise stated.
Patients also have flexibility with their referrals. Even if a referral is directed to a specific provider, patients are not required to continue with that provider exclusively. They may choose another practitioner within the same field offering similar services.
For eligible patients, GPs often start with a referral for six psychological sessions under the Better Access initiative. After the sixth session, a review of the patient’s MHTP is recommended to assess progress and needs. If additional therapy is beneficial, the GP can then recommend up to four more sessions.
Chronic Disease Management Plan & MHTP
For patients who have fully used their GP Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP), there may still be options for additional support through a Chronic Disease Management Plan. This plan provides access to Medicare rebates for up to five additional allied health services each calendar year, on top of any rebates already used under the MHTP. This provision helps ensure that individuals with chronic mental health conditions receive ongoing, affordable care.
At Narangba Station Medical Centre, our doctors are dedicated to supporting patients with comprehensive mental health care. Contact our friendly team to book an appointment and discuss options for a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan or Chronic Disease Management Plan.
What to Expect
When you schedule a mental health consultation with our GPs, you can expect a safe, confidential environment where your concerns are heard. Your GP will listen to your mental health history, explore any current symptoms, and discuss potential treatment options, ensuring that you feel supported every step of the way. This conversation is collaborative and aims to empower you with the right resources and support network.
Fees & Medicare Rebate
We're a mixed billing practice and a partial Medicare rebate will be available for Medicare card holders. The fees outlined below are strictly for your consultation. Additional fees may apply for any treatments or scripts as recommended by your doctor.
For a detailed overview of all our practice fees, please visit our Fees page.
Mental Health Care Plan Consultation Fees
Time | Our Fee | Medicare | You Pay |
Any Time | $180.00 | $103.70 | $76.30 |
Mental Health Care Plan Review Consultation Fees
Time | Our Fee | Medicare | You Pay |
Any Time | $140.00 | $81.70 | $58.30 |
Why Choose NSMC?
Conveniently located next to Narangba Train Station, NSMC combines accessibility, affordability, and high-quality medical services to meet the diverse healthcare needs of north Brisbane residents. Our experience medical team, led by Dr. Madhu Lakshmaiah, ensures personalized, patient-centered care with holistic solutions to a variety of health concerns. We're open 7 days a week with after-hours availability and our patients also benefit from the convenience of on-site blood tests, free parking, and proximity to a local pharmacy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you still have questions about GP Mental Health Treatment Plans in Queensland? No problem! Here are the most commonly asked questions our GP's receive about mental health plans in Brisbane and surrounds.
A GP Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) is a personalised plan developed with your GP to support your mental health needs, often including referrals to mental health professionals.
You can book an MHTP consultation by calling us on (07) 3521 4333 or booking online. Our team will assist you in setting up an appointment that suits your schedule.
The Better Access Initiative covers a variety of mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, and other eligible mental health concerns.
Medicare rebates are available for eligible patients, helping to reduce the costs of consultations and referrals under the Better Access Initiative. Our team can discuss this further with you during your initial consultation.
Regular reviews, typically every six months or as needed, ensure your treatment plan is up-to-date and effective in addressing your needs.
Yes, MHTPs often include referrals to psychologists or other mental health specialists to provide additional support.
Yes, all mental health consultations are confidential, ensuring your privacy and security during every step of your care.
The Better Access Initiative provides Medicare benefits for eligible mental health services, making it easier to access care from GPs, psychologists, and other mental health professionals.
Contact & Bookings
To make an appointment, please call reception or use our online booking system via the button below. You can also visit our contact page to see further details about our location and directions.
Bookings are available from as early as 7AM on weekdays and Saturday. We are also open Sunday afternoon and late evening on Tuesday and Thursday until 8:30PM.
Can't find us? - We are situated across the road from Narangba Train Station next to the Narangba Village shopping complex. Look for signs for Narangba Health Centre and IGA.
Serving patients in Narangba, Burpengary, Dakabin, Deception Bay, Morayfield, North Lakes and North Brisbane surrounds