You can recover 60 per cent of the cost of our counselling through Medicare rebates and private health insurance. We can explain how to obtain a referral in the form of a Mental Health Care Plan, from your GP, psychiatrist or paediatrician.

To get a referral you will need to make an appointment with your GP to complete a Mental Health Care Plan. It is important to tell the doctor's receptionist that you are requesting a referral to a psychologist as the GP needs approximately 30 minutes to discuss the plan with you and fill in the required paperwork.

You must obtain your GP referral prior to your first appointment in order to receive Medicare rebates. On payment of your counselling or group session, you will receive an invoice which you can take to any Medicare branch to claim your rebate.

Classes do not require an additional GP referral if you already have a current referral. If you do not have one, and you wish to claim a rebate, you will need to get a GP referral before attending the first class.

All psychologists at Imagine the Future are registered with the Psychologists Registration Board of Victoria and have Medicare provider numbers, enabling you to claim a Medicare rebate for your counselling and group sessions.

Note that you do not require a referral from a GP unless you intend to claim a Medicare rebate. 

If you have Extras cover with a Private Health Insurance provider it allows you to claim back part of your consultation fees. The rebate amount claimed will vary from fund to fund and will depend on your cover. However, you are unable to claim private health insurance rebates for sessions already claimed under the GP mental health care plan (Medicare). Contact your private health insurance to obtain the level of cover you are entitled to.