OT AUSTRALIA

Better Access Initiative

Summary of the Application Process

Overview
BAMH Implementation Review

How to Register to as a Provider

Medicare Items and Rebates

Orientation Manual for Occupational Therapists
Further Information

Summary of Application Process

Apply to Medicare for a Provider Number
Complete the statutory declaration
Enclose a copy of your Curriculum Vitae with the following:

> You must demonstrate that you are capable of delivering one or more of the Focussed Psychological Strategies [listed on page 14 of the orientation manual] to one or more the diagnostic groups [listed on page 11 of the orientation manual]

> You must demonstrate that you have at least two years supervised practice in the above

Forward your application to Occupational Therapy Australia for consideration
For more information contact the Senior Policy Advisor on 03 9415 2900 or email policy@ausot.com.au

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Overview of the Initiative

From 1 November 2006 new Medicare rebates will be available for patients to receive up to 12 individual and/or group allied mental health services per calendar year, under the Australian Government's Better Access to Mental Health Care Initiative.

These will be provided in two sets of six services with a review by the referring practitioner after the first six services.

Rebates for these services are available to those who have been referred by a medical practitioner managing the patient under a GP Mental Health Care Plan, and/or a psychiatrist assessment and management plan; or on direct referral by a psychiatrist or paediatrician. More details on the Better Access to Mental Health Care Initiative can be found here.

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BAMH Implementation Review

The Federal Government is undertaking a post-implementation review of the BAMH initiative. Occupational Therapy Australia presented a submission to the review (available here). Results of the review will be made available to Occupational Therapy Australia members when available.

To inform the Occupational Therapy Australia submission, Occupational Therapy Australia undertook a survey of occupational therapists registered to provide BAMH services. A summary of results of the survey is available here.

For more information, please contact the Senior Policy Advisor on policy@ausot.com.au or 03 9415 2900

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How to Register to be a Provider

Occupational therapists who wish to provide services under the Better Access to Mental Health Care Initiative, must apply through Occupational Therapy Australia.

To be eligible to register, therapists must:

have a Medicare Australia provider number. If you do not have a Medicare Provider Number, please visit the Medicare Australia website for the form, and more information.
have minimum of 2 years of supervised practice as an occupational therapist working in mental health.
be a Full Time or Part Time member of Occupational Therapy Australia (National)
satisfy all units of competency as set out in the Australian Competencies for Occupational Therapists in Mental Health (1999).

To apply, therapists must:

Collect relevant documentation to support your claim of 2 years experience in mental health (see page 3 of the statutory declaration for details).
Complete and sign a statutory declaration (click to download) stating that they meet the eligibility criteria as stated above.
Review the Occupational Therapy Australia BAMH Application Guidelines available here.
Send completed statutory declaration to Occupational Therapy Australia for review.

Applications are reviewed to ensure that all providers meet the eligibilty criteria and are suitably qualified.

Occupational Therapy Australia will then advise Medicare Australia of successful applicants. Where an applicant is required to provide further information or clarification of experience, Occupational Therapy Australia will contact the applicant.

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Medicare Items and Rebates

There are 5 new MBS items for occupational therapy services provided on referral by a GP, psychiatrist, or paediatrician. Please note that the Allied Health & Dental Care Initiative for patients with chronic and complex care needs is a separate initiative, and has not changed.

The following MBS Scheduled Fee and Rebates apply to services provided by eligible OTs under the FPS. (Current as of January 2009.)

MBS Item No.	Key Features	MBS Scheduled Fee	MBS Rebate (85% of the Scheduled Fee)
80125	Provision of Focused Psychological Strategies (FPS) 20-50 mins	$57.55	$48.95
80130	Provision of services in places other than consulting rooms Same service requirements as 80125	$81.00	$68.85
80135	Provision of Focused Psychological Strategies (FPS) >50 mins	$81.25	$69.10
80140	Provision of services in places other than consulting rooms Same service requirements as 80135	$104.70	$89.00
80145	Provision of Focused Psychological Strategies (FPS) Must be >60 min in duration Must be in groups of 6-10 patients	$20.65 (per patient)	$17.60 (per patient)

Click here for detailed explanations and notes on the new item numbers.

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Orientation Manual

Click here to download a copy of the Orientation Manual for Clinical Psychologists, Psychologists, Social Workers, and Occupational Therapists.

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Further Information

Click here to access a list of Frequently Asked Questions for OTs. Further information is also available at the Department of Health and Ageing website.

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