What's the difference between a MHTP, a Review and a Re-referral?

A Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) is prepared by a GP to support access to Medicare-rebated psychology sessions. It outlines the person’s mental health needs and the proposed treatment approach. It’s usually completed at the start of treatment and allows referral for up to six initial sessions.

A Review is an opportunity for the GP to assess progress, update the treatment plan if needed, and authorise further sessions. It typically occurs after the first 6 sessions but can be done anytime between 4 weeks and 6 months from the initial plan.

A Re-referral is when the GP issues a new referral letter (without creating a new MHTP) to allow the client to access more sessions—up to the annual Medicare limit of 10 individual sessions per calendar year. Re-referrals can be made during a Review or a standard mental health consultation

Importantly, the MHTP itself doesn’t expire, but new referrals are required once the referred sessions are used.

These terms are confusing, so we prepared a one page explainer for GP’s.