Every practitioner at OneBodyMind offers telehealth. It is the same therapy, with the same practitioner, at the same fee, with the same Medicare rebates. The only thing that changes is where you are sitting.
A telehealth session is a normal appointment held by secure video call, or by phone if video is not practical. It runs the same length as a face-to-face session, about 50 minutes, and covers the same ground. Your practitioner sends a link before the appointment; you click it at the start time from a phone, tablet or computer. Nothing needs installing in advance beyond the video app your practitioner uses, and reception will walk you through it the first time if you would like.
You can use telehealth for every session, switch between telehealth and face-to-face from one appointment to the next, or use it only when travel is difficult. Some practitioners ask that the first appointment takes place in person, so that the assessment and the plan for treatment are made face-to-face; reception will tell you when you book. You can be anywhere in Australia.
Telehealth is billed at the same fee as a face-to-face appointment with the same practitioner, and the same Medicare rebates apply. With a Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP, a telehealth session attracts the same rebate as a session in the room, and it counts toward the same yearly session limit. Private health extras cover for psychology generally applies to telehealth in the same way; check with your fund.
Telehealth is not bulk billed. No practitioner at OneBodyMind bulk bills, for telehealth or in person. You pay the practitioner's fee and Medicare pays its rebate towards it, so there is a gap to pay. See what a session costs for the current fee range.
Payment for a telehealth appointment is by a secure payment link sent to you around the time of the session. Once it is paid we lodge the Medicare claim online, and the rebate is paid into the bank account you have registered with Medicare within 24 business hours.
For most people and most concerns, telehealth works as well as being in the room, and the research on video-delivered CBT and related therapies bears that out. Some situations call for face-to-face sessions: the first appointment, where your practitioner asks for it; couples therapy, which is rarely advisable by telehealth because the work depends on both partners being in the room with the practitioner; work with children; and times when you are in crisis or not safe at home. Your practitioner will say so if they consider face-to-face the better option. The Rose Park rooms are five minutes from the Adelaide CBD with free street parking.
OneBodyMind is not a crisis service. If you need urgent help, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or 000.
No. Telehealth is charged at the same fee as a face-to-face appointment, and Medicare pays the same rebate towards it if you have a Mental Health Treatment Plan. There is a gap to pay either way.
Yes. With a Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP, telehealth sessions attract the same rebate as face-to-face sessions and count toward the same yearly session limit. We lodge the claim for you.
Both are available. Video is preferred because your practitioner can see you, but phone is used where video is not practical. If a video call drops, the session continues by phone. Either way you need a private room for the full session.
It depends on the practitioner. Some ask that the first appointment takes place in person and are happy to use telehealth after that; others will start by telehealth. Reception will tell you when you book.
It is rarely advisable. Couples therapy depends on both partners being in the room with the practitioner, and the practitioners here will generally ask for face-to-face sessions. Ask when you book if circumstances make that difficult.
Yes, from anywhere in Australia. Medicare rebates apply wherever you are in the country.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call Lifeline on 13 11 14, or 000 in an emergency. OneBodyMind is not a crisis service. Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636.