this post was submitted on 29 Oct 2023
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fkin hell that's expensive
I got a quote for $750 with a $350ish rebate. One off session too which I think is nowhere near enough.
Jeez. 😞
Do you mean a psychiatrist or psychologist? Either way you'd need a GP referral and definitely check the item numbers and coverage before you start making appointments. With psychology, ound out the hard way that the 10 subsidised psychology sessions on the mental health care plan are available for OSHC but not mid tier OVHC with Bupa. Don't get caught out!
As for psychiatrists, never used them on OSHC/OVHC, but regardless, check with your GP which MBS item number they'd be referring you under as there are separate MBS fees/corresponding rebate amounts (which OSHC/OVHC often peg their rebates too to) for different item numbers that seem to provide very similar services. Specifically there's a "291 assessment" that is often used for one off initial diagnosis that can get very expensive but is sometimes the only way to get seen by very good psychs apparently
Get the item number(s) and check with you insurance which ones they cover and how much. Either way it won't be cheap, good luck and Godspeed
Thanks friend. I think psychologist. Not exactly sure the difference between the two but I'm assuming psychiatrist prescribes meds? Don't think I need meds, just someone to listen to my shit. Super helpful tips as well. Sucks that Bupa doesn't cover it cuz I'm on the mid tier one with them (ovhc as well).
How much did it set you back if you don't mind me asking? Also did you see a psychologist or a psychiatrist? Either way, if it's 250 per then I'm probably not gonna be seeing one 💁♂️
Yeah, psychiatrist is for meds, psychologist better for general listening. Check with Bupa anyway, I was last with them mid 2021 and they might have changed their policies by now.
250 per before rebates is not unusual but still on the higher side and generally for when you need a really good psych or somewhat more specialised support. I have seen psychs for 180/hr or so before rebate (again, that was a couple years ago), they can still be pretty good if you just need to start off and get things off your chest.
Alternatively look into counselors, they are not medicare or private health claimable but can also be very good at that initial level when you need to talk through stuff and need a third party sounding board. Psychologists at the higher end are not always good for that and some may even recommend you try elsewhere.
I have seen both this year, spent an absolute fortune on psychologists because of a LOT that I won't go into. Easily over 1.5k out of pocket through the MHCP 10 sessions + allied heath 5 sessions and probably 3.5k more fully out of pocket for further sessions. It was a big financial hit, but I really needed it.
the silver lining for me is because I'm now on medicare, eventually I got a lot more rebated off medicare for the rest of the year, sadly no for psychology (because I'd used up all the sessions), but massively for psychiatry ($400+ session down to $50 out of pocket, $96 gp visit down to $12 out of pocket). Next year I hope I won't need nearly as many services now that a lot of things have been resolved
edit: edited to add, GOOD LUCK FRIEND I really hope you can still push on and find someone you can open up to, even starting with counselling can be better than nothing, don't let it build up to the point that you end up paying much more in other ways, especially when you're here as a migrant and it can feel so isolating and that you've got nobody to fall back on. I believe in you!
😭😭😭
Thank you JK you're too nice. Thank you heaps again for all this info this is VERY helpful!! Congrats on the PR / citizenship, hopefully I can get there one day. Your last point hits home harddd. I literally have no one here (well maybe except a cousin but we're not close) and I've had the hardest time making friends (which is one of the reasons I want to see a psych i.e. loneliness). I'll spare you the rant but thank you again!! ❤️
Hang in there bro I know the feeling, you'll get there too one day - look after yourself so you'll come out healthy on the other side, loneliness sucks!!!