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Health insurance for psychology

Health insurance extras policies can cover psychology sessions and counselling from around $31.51 per month.

What you need to know

  • Counselling and psychology is covered by some extras insurance policies.
  • It can work alongside Medicare if you need ongoing psychological treatment, or can be a good option if you just need a few sessions with a psychologist.
  • Many extras policies have short waiting periods for psychology and lots of other extras like dental, optical and natural therapies.

Which Australian health funds cover psychology?

Below are a few funds from Finder partners that cover psychology in extras. We've displayed the Psychology yearly limit. They also include other benefits such as dental, optical or physio - using the range of extras covered is a great way to get value for money.

1 - 30 of 31
Name Product Treatments Price Apply
  • General Dental
  • Major Dental
  • Optical
  • Physiotherapy
  • Chiropractic
  • Psychology
  • Remedial Massage
  • Hearing aids
  • +4 other treatments covered
$47.35
per month
  • General Dental
  • Major Dental
  • Optical
  • Physiotherapy
  • Chiropractic
  • Psychology
  • Remedial Massage
  • Hearing aids
  • +4 other treatments covered
$63.74
per month
  • General Dental
  • Major Dental
  • Optical
  • Physiotherapy
  • Chiropractic
  • Psychology
  • Remedial Massage
  • Hearing aids
  • +4 other treatments covered
$73.39
per month
  • General Dental
  • Major Dental
  • Optical
  • Physiotherapy
  • Chiropractic
  • Psychology
  • Remedial Massage
  • Hearing aids
  • +4 other treatments covered
$47.35
per month
  • General Dental
  • Major Dental
  • Optical
  • Physiotherapy
  • Chiropractic
  • Psychology
  • Remedial Massage
  • Hearing aids
  • +4 other treatments covered
$58.96
per month
  • General Dental
  • Major Dental
  • Optical
  • Physiotherapy
  • Chiropractic
  • Psychology
  • Remedial Massage
  • Hearing aids
  • +6 other treatments covered
$75.51
per month
Super Extras
Extras cover
  • General Dental
  • Major Dental
  • Optical
  • Physiotherapy
  • Chiropractic
  • Psychology
  • Remedial Massage
  • Hearing aids
  • +5 other treatments covered
$65.48
per month
Frank More Extras
Extras cover
  • General Dental
  • Major Dental
  • Optical
  • Physiotherapy
  • Chiropractic
  • Psychology
  • Remedial Massage
  • Hearing aids
  • +5 other treatments covered
$58.47
per month
  • General Dental
  • Major Dental
  • Optical
  • Physiotherapy
  • Chiropractic
  • Psychology
  • Remedial Massage
  • Hearing aids
$33.06
per month
Advanced Extras
Extras cover
  • General Dental
  • Major Dental
  • Optical
  • Physiotherapy
  • Chiropractic
  • Psychology
  • Remedial Massage
  • Hearing aids
  • +6 other treatments covered
$73.77
per month
  • General Dental
  • Major Dental
  • Optical
  • Physiotherapy
  • Chiropractic
  • Psychology
  • Remedial Massage
  • Hearing aids
  • +4 other treatments covered
$106.87
per month
Family Extras
Extras cover
  • General Dental
  • Major Dental
  • Optical
  • Physiotherapy
  • Chiropractic
  • Psychology
  • Remedial Massage
  • Hearing aids
  • +5 other treatments covered
$60.77
per month
Top Extras
Extras cover
  • General Dental
  • Major Dental
  • Optical
  • Physiotherapy
  • Chiropractic
  • Psychology
  • Remedial Massage
  • Hearing aids
  • +6 other treatments covered
$100.69
per month
Super Extras
Extras cover
  • General Dental
  • Major Dental
  • Optical
  • Physiotherapy
  • Chiropractic
  • Psychology
  • Remedial Massage
  • Hearing aids
  • +5 other treatments covered
$90.85
per month
High Extras
Extras cover
  • General Dental
  • Major Dental
  • Optical
  • Physiotherapy
  • Chiropractic
  • Psychology
  • Remedial Massage
  • Hearing aids
  • +6 other treatments covered
$97.33
per month
  • General Dental
  • Major Dental
  • Optical
  • Physiotherapy
  • Chiropractic
  • Psychology
  • Remedial Massage
  • Hearing aids
  • +4 other treatments covered
$35.74
per month
  • General Dental
  • Major Dental
  • Optical
  • Physiotherapy
  • Chiropractic
  • Psychology
  • Remedial Massage
  • Hearing aids
  • +3 other treatments covered
$42.48
per month
Complete 60
Extras cover
  • General Dental
  • Major Dental
  • Optical
  • Physiotherapy
  • Chiropractic
  • Psychology
  • Remedial Massage
  • Hearing aids
  • +6 other treatments covered
$61.22
per month
Premium Extras
Extras cover
  • General Dental
  • Major Dental
  • Optical
  • Physiotherapy
  • Chiropractic
  • Psychology
  • Remedial Massage
  • Hearing aids
  • +6 other treatments covered
$151.67
per month
black 70 boost
Extras cover
  • General Dental
  • Major Dental
  • Optical
  • Physiotherapy
  • Chiropractic
  • Psychology
  • Remedial Massage
  • Hearing aids
  • +4 other treatments covered
$70.27
per month
  • General Dental
  • Major Dental
  • Optical
  • Physiotherapy
  • Chiropractic
  • Psychology
  • Remedial Massage
  • Hearing aids
  • +4 other treatments covered
$81.13
per month
  • General Dental
  • Major Dental
  • Optical
  • Physiotherapy
  • Chiropractic
  • Psychology
  • Remedial Massage
  • Hearing aids
  • +6 other treatments covered
$67.36
per month
Top Extras
Extras cover
  • General Dental
  • Major Dental
  • Optical
  • Physiotherapy
  • Chiropractic
  • Psychology
  • Remedial Massage
  • Hearing aids
  • +6 other treatments covered
$97.18
per month
Qantas Top Extras
Extras cover
  • General Dental
  • Major Dental
  • Optical
  • Physiotherapy
  • Chiropractic
  • Psychology
  • Remedial Massage
  • Hearing aids
  • +6 other treatments covered
$114.14
per month
  • General Dental
  • Major Dental
  • Optical
  • Physiotherapy
  • Chiropractic
  • Psychology
  • Remedial Massage
  • Hearing aids
  • +6 other treatments covered
$107.17
per month
Top 70
Extras cover
  • General Dental
  • Major Dental
  • Optical
  • Physiotherapy
  • Chiropractic
  • Psychology
  • Remedial Massage
  • Hearing aids
  • +6 other treatments covered
$101.25
per month
Flex 60
Extras cover
  • General Dental
  • Major Dental
  • Optical
  • Physiotherapy
  • Chiropractic
  • Psychology
  • Remedial Massage
  • Hearing aids
  • +3 other treatments covered
$48.18
per month
GMHBA Core Extras
Extras cover
  • General Dental
  • Major Dental
  • Optical
  • Physiotherapy
  • Chiropractic
  • Psychology
  • Remedial Massage
  • Hearing aids
  • +3 other treatments covered
$50.25
per month
Flex 50
Extras cover
  • General Dental
  • Major Dental
  • Optical
  • Physiotherapy
  • Chiropractic
  • Psychology
  • Remedial Massage
  • Hearing aids
  • +3 other treatments covered
$34.27
per month
Lifestyle Extras
Extras cover
  • General Dental
  • Major Dental
  • Optical
  • Physiotherapy
  • Chiropractic
  • Psychology
  • Remedial Massage
  • Hearing aids
  • +4 other treatments covered
$56.20
per month
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All prices are based on a single individual with less than $90,000 income and living in Sydney.

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What is psychology?

As far as health care is concerned, psychology is professional counselling or therapy for a range of mental issues, conducted by a trained clinical psychologist. These issues can be anything from a diagnosed mental illness like bipolar disorder to short-term issues like work-related stress.

A psychologist can help with any of the following conditions:

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Schizophrenia
  • Bipolar
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder
  • Eating disorders
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder
  • Everyday stress
  • Relationship issues and marriage counselling
  • Phobias
  • Addictions
  • Grief
  • The mental aspect of pain management
  • Post-natal depression

What does a psychologist do?

The main job of a psychologist is to help people cope with whatever is troubling them mentally, from everyday concerns to more complex mental illnesses. They do this by using a range of therapies that can be collectively called "psychotherapy". Through psychotherapy, patients can learn any number of new skills including better ways to think, act, communicate and manage their emotions.

Psychologists are trained to observe the mental states of their patients and adjust their treatment plans in a way that gives each patient the best opportunity to apply what they've learned in therapy. For example, psychologists might use hypnosis to help patients relax so that their mind can be open to new ideas.

Some common therapies include:

  • Cognitive behavioural therapy. A therapy that helps you identify and change unhelpful thought and behavioural patterns.
  • Humanistic therapy. A therapy that helps you learn more self-awareness and to develop a positive, healthier attitude.
  • Psychoanalysis. A therapy that helps you explore your unconscious thought patterns.
  • Integrative therapy. An approach to therapy that combines elements of many of the other therapies in a way that is specific to each patient.
  • Hypnosis. A tool that is used to help you relax into a state where you are more open to helpful suggestions (but still present enough to reject harmful suggestions).

A psychologist does not prescribe medication to treat mental problems. You would need a psychiatrist for that, although your GP can prescribe some medications related to mental illness should they be required.

What psychology support is available on Medicare?

The Better Access to Mental Health Care initiative lets people claim up to 10 psychology sessions per year through Medicare. You're required to visit a GP for a consult to receive the sessions.

This can be a good solution if you’re looking for ongoing support, and can also be combined with additional sessions via private health insurance.

By following a few simple steps, almost anyone with temporary or ongoing mental issues can get covered. Here's what you need to do:

  • Visit your GP. Your GP will need to create a mental health treatment plan to determine if psychology is right for you.
  • Get your mental health treatment plan. You and your GP will work together to create a treatment plan that could include medication, psychiatry, psychology and/or wellness programs like yoga.
  • Get your referral. If the GP recommends psychology, you will need a referral to be eligible for the Medicare rebate.
  • See your psychologist. You will initially get up to six sessions for your first "course of treatment".
  • Revisit your GP. If at any time you aren't feeling it with one psychologist, you can ask for a referral to see another. Or if you need additional sessions, you can ask for another course of treatment that will cover you for up to four more visits.

Medicare will rebate you $84.80 per 50+ minute session with a general psychologist, and $124.50 for a session with a clinical psychologist as long as you are on a mental health treatment plan. If the actual cost for a session is greater than this, you’ll have to pay the difference.

When you are booking your appointment, remember to ask for the fees up front so you know how much out-of-pocket expense to expect.

What psychology support is available through private health insurance?

Most insurers offer psychology cover through an extras policies, which typically also includes dental, optical and natural therapies cover.

You don't need to see a GP first, you don't need a referral and you don't need a mental health treatment plan. Depending on which level you sign up to, your plan will have a set dollar limit which you are allowed to claim throughout the year.

What should you be aware of when using private psychology cover?

When comparing health insurance policies you'll want one that offers the best value, and there's more to value than just price. Keep an eye out for how insurers treat the following:

  • Your benefit limits. This is the maximum amount you can claim each year for services like psychology and dental. Sometimes these services will have separate limits (for example, $300 for psych and $300 for dental), but other times they'll have combined limits (using the same example, $600 to use wherever you'd like). A policy with combined limits is often the better choice.
  • In-network versus out-of-network providers. Your extras cover will most likely pay for a percentage of each therapy session, while you pay the rest. Some insurers will pay a higher percentage if you use a psychologist in their network. The savings may or may not be worth it depending on the size of their network.
  • Waiting periods. If this is a new policy, you'll probably have to wait before you can claim on psychology treatments. If you look hard enough, you may be able to find a special offer that will waive your waiting periods for some treatments including psychology.

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