Access to cheaper psychology visits can be halved inside weeks, as the federal government strikes away from the psychological well being program launched in the course of the top of the Covid-19 pandemic.
In 2020, the previous authorities elevated the variety of Medicare-subsidised psychology visits in a 12 months from 10 to twenty.
But from January 1, sufferers will as soon as once more solely be capable to declare Medicare rebates for 10 visits.
Health Minister Mark Butler mentioned the Better Access program had really completed little to assist folks in rural and low socio-economic areas.
“The evaluation I am publishing today considered the impact of those additional 10 sessions and found they drove a very big increase in the number of services in this sector generally,” he mentioned.
“But it found that those additional 10 aggravated existing waiting lists and aggravated barriers to access, particularly by (people in rural and low socio-economic areas).
“The evaluation found that all of the additional services went to existing patients and that the number of new patients who were able to get into the system and get access to psychology services actually declined by 7 per cent.”
Just final week the Australian Psychological Society had known as for the extra 10 periods to be made everlasting.
The Australian Association of Psychologists on Monday mentioned Mr Butler’s announcement was “bitterly disappointing”.
“Given the devastating impact of the pandemic, regular natural disasters, increasing levels of mental ill-health and unprecedented demand, this decision is denying people the level of mental health care they so desperately need,” govt director Tegan Carrison mentioned.
“We implore the federal government to give more consideration to the mental wellbeing of all Australians.”
Mr Butler mentioned a current analysis had discovered Australians used 5 periods on common in 2021, with 83 per cent utilizing fewer than 10 periods.
He mentioned within the new 12 months, the federal government would think about future enhancements to Better Access.
