Mental Health Care Plans (MHCP)

Answers to Questions Frequently Asked by Doctors

How long is a patient’s MHCP valid?

Patient MHCP referrals are valid for 1 year from the date of the referral.

How many sessions of individual therapy is a patient eligible for under their MHCP?

Patients are eligible for up to 10 sessions per calendar year:

• Patients are eligible for 6 sessions under the initial plan.

• Patients are subsequently eligible for a further 4 sessions if they require additional treatment within the calendar year. 

Is a patient with an existing MHCP eligible for another set of 10 sessions in the new calendar year, or only after their MHCP has expired?

From the beginning of a new calendar year, the balance of a patient’s MHCP sessions resets to 10. A patient with a valid MHCP will be able to continue their treatment without requiring a new plan.

When do I need to complete a MHCP review?

• A review only needs to be completed if something has changed clinically in regard to the patient’s mental health presentation, or if the plan is due to expire.

• If a review is required, the first review may be completed from 60 days after the patient’s initial referral date, and subsequent reviews may be completed from 90 days after the previous review date.

• If a patient is not due/eligible for a MHCP review but requires access to further sessions under their plan, you may write a letter to the treating psychologist requesting that the patient continue to be seen. Please be sure to stipulate the number of sessions you are requesting the patient have access to (e.g. “for the balance of their remaining sessions for the calendar year”).

What other referral options are available aside from MHCP?

Tristan is a registered or acknowledged provider under;

NDIS

Department of Veteran Affairs

Work Cover Qld

Qld Police Service