Australians lost nearly 250,000 fewer accesses to subsidized psychology sessions last year, with psychologists calling on the federal government to double the number of sessions available to patients and cut high gap fees. We once again request that these efforts be made.
The number of subsidized psychologist sessions fell from 6.67 million in 2021-22 to 6.43 million in 2022-23, according to the latest government services data released last Wednesday.
Under the government's Better Access scheme, patients with a GP-approved mental health plan can receive a Medicare rebate of $93 per session with a general psychologist. The rebate increases to $137 per session with a clinical psychologist.
The proportion of Australians using subsidized mental health services overall for the first time also fell slightly year-on-year, from 26.4% in 2021-22 to 26.1% in 2022-23, the data shows.
The new figures coincide with renewed efforts by top psychology institutions and mental health professionals to lower the cost barriers Australians face when booking therapy sessions.
Survey data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics in November showed the number of people who delayed seeing a health professional for mental health reasons due to cost will increase in 2022-23, up from 16.7% in 2021-22. increased to 19.3%.
The Australian Psychological Society (APS), one of the two peak national psychology bodies, has announced plans to reinstate an additional 10 subsidized Medicare sessions a year for people with the most complex needs, and He said he is calling for the school system to establish early intervention programs to address it. trend.
Zena Burgess, the charity's chief executive, said members continued to report that patients were being “rationed” sessions amid the cost of living crisis.
“This alarming data shows that too many people cannot afford to see a psychologist when they need it,” she says.
“In a cost-of-living crisis, only a Medicare card, not a credit card, should be required for the most vulnerable to access psychological services. Making psychologists more affordable will help patients can be treated quickly, while also reducing pressure on GPs, first responders and emergency departments.
“Resuming 20 sessions for people with complex needs and disadvantaged groups will give those who seek our help a better chance of thriving and living healthy lives. ”
But Health Minister Mark Butler has so far resisted calls to reinstate the Coalition's coronavirus-era policy, saying instead that the decision meant access to cheaper sessions would be The situation has worsened, with many Australians now living on low incomes in regional, rural and rural areas. Remote areas are in short supply.
According to the Better Access Report, published in December 2022, the number of new people accessing psychology sessions decreased by 7.25% between 2020 and 2021, and out-of-pocket costs decreased by 7.4% per session in 2021. USD to 90 USD in 2022.
An additional 10 sessions led to better results, but were found to “disproportionately” favor people with higher incomes in major cities. However, the review recommended that the extra 10 sessions be retained but instead targeted at people with “complex mental health needs”.
Butler said 43,544 more people had Better Access sessions in 2023 compared to the same period in 2022.
“While this is a positive step, more needs to be done to ensure all Australians have access to the mental health care they need, no matter where they live or what their circumstances are. '' he said.
“The Government will continue to work with mental health experts and people with lived experience to drive reform.”
An advisory committee comprised of experts and research groups was established to evaluate the program and recommend changes to improve access and affordability. It has met four times since September 2023.
Meanwhile, the Coalition and the Greens are calling for an immediate return to the cheaper 20 treatment sessions a year, citing the difficult financial situation facing households.
Melissa McIntosh, assistant shadow minister for mental health, said the figures in the various reports painted an alarming picture of growing mental health problems in the country.
He pointed to the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners' recent National Health Report, which found that 72 per cent of general practitioners said that Demonstrated that they value mental health.
“Australia's mental health disease burden is among the highest in the world. What's more, the mental health and cost of living crises are colliding,” Mr McIntosh said.
“As families struggle under this cost-of-living crisis, we are seeing Australians with mental illness left without affordable options after Better Access cuts.”
Green Party senator and party health spokesperson Jordon Steeljohn said reinstating 20 sessions a year was the “absolute minimum” the Albanian government could do to prevent people from being rationed 10 sessions a year. “Limited to that,” he said.
“This is beyond a crisis point. The government needs to explore other ways for people to receive affordable mental health care, such as expanding the range of mental health professionals who can provide services through Medicare. '' Steeljohn said.
According to APS's recommended fee schedule, psychologists are encouraged to charge approximately $300 per session, meaning gap fees can range from $100 to $200.