A single 291 Medicare Based Referral enables the treating specialist to refer for additional support to Clinical Psychology and Occupational Therapy if appropriate. This enables a true multidiciplinary team without the usual barriers and excessive paperwork.
GPs may still refer directly to a Clinical Psychologist under Better Access. If your patient has already had a MHCP (item 2710) in the past, all that is required is a referral letter.
GP's may choose to refer to a Psychiatrist under item 291 or if appropriate, directly to a Clinical Psychologist using item 2710 (or just a referral letter if one has been done in the past). Note that a new MHCP is no longer required if one has been done in the past (their is no longer a 2 year expiry date) unless a patients condition has changed (e.g., from Generalise Anixety to Posttraumatic Stress Disorder from a seperate incident).
FAQs
Question: Do Cygnet Psychiatrists see patients on a more ongoing basis? Answer: Absolutely. If the 291 assessment provides a solid basis for ongoing Psychiatric care in the private practice setting then we will continue to provide high quality Psychiatric services.
Question: Can I refer to directly Clinical Psychologists under a MHCP for 10 sessions if I don't need Psychiatric support? Answer: Yes. We accept more referrals directly to Clinical Psychology through Medicare than from any other referral source. Our Clinical Psychologists are highly trained and well recognised in their feild.
Address
25 Ellen Street
Fremantle WA 6160
Healthlink ID: cygnetcl
Contacts
Email: fremantle@cygnetclinic.com.au
Phone: +61 89467 6373
Fax: +61 8 9463 6311