Medicare Mental Health is here to make it easier for GPs and other health professionals to support the mental health of the people they look after.
Referrals
While no referral is needed for a person to access Medicare Mental Health, referrals are welcomed from GPs, primary health professionals, local Hospital and Health Service providers and non-government organisations. Referral pathways include the below digital and phone options, you can also share location details for one of the region’s walk-in centres in Sunshine Coast, Gladstone, Bundaberg and Rockhampton.
GPs can refer patients to Medicare Mental Health using a SmartForm in the HealthLink system, which has been built specifically for and tailored to GP referrals. The smartform means streamlined and faster turnaround time for referrals to Medicare Mental Health.
Benefits of the SmartForm
- Pre-populated to reduce duplication of data entry
- System security improves client privacy
- Can be completed during the patient consultation
- Allows your patient to get access to mental health support sooner
- Ensures you receive the outcome of each patient referral
To access the SmartForm
Select the HealthLink tab in your practice software to use the form. If you don’t have access to HealthLink in your practice management software, sign up here: healthlink.com.au/healthlink-application
Learn more about the referral process using the HealthLink Guides and tutorials below.
For more support
- For support related to the HealthLink SmartForm, contact 1800 125 036 or HelpdeskHL@healthlink.net
- For issues with accepting or rejecting referrals, contact Medicare Mental Health on 1800 595 212.
- Alternatively use the CCQ inbound eReferral form to refer
Commissioned Service Providers and Hospital and Health Services can use the Inbound referral form available here and on CCQ HealthPathways to refer clients to Medicare Mental Health.
Speak with mental health professionals and discuss local referral pathways and options for your patient/client. The Medicare Mental Health is a service navigation and referral service only. This service does not provide case management to clients.
Medicare Mental Health assessment pathway
Medicare Mental Health professionals will talk with a client and then triage to the support needed most appropriate service to meet their needs or assist the person they’re supporting.
With consent, Medicare Mental Health will also work with a client’s GP to ensure they are kept informed about the support services recommended.
An initial assessment completed using the Initial Assessment and Referral Decision Support Tool (IAR-DST) to gather the information required to determine the most appropriate referral pathway for the client who is calling for support. They will then do a warm handover and support them in access tools or a support service.
FAQs
Is Medicare Mental Health free?
Medicare Mental Health is a national service than connects our community to mental health and wellbeing support. Anyone can call Medicare Mental Health from 8:30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
Please note the service is not a crisis service and only operates during business hours.
For urgent support, 1300 MH CALL (1300 642 255) or Lifeline 13 11 14 are available. If someone needs immediate help or is at risk of self-harm, they should call Triple Zero (000).
Is Medicare Mental Health only a phone service?
What hours is Medicare Mental Health available?
What service does Medicare Mental Health provide?
Medicare Mental Health operates during business hours from 8.30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
Medicare Mental Health is not a crisis service. Protocols for responding to people experiencing high levels of distress (including suicidal crisis or acute mental illness) are in place to ensure the swift identification of individuals experiencing a crisis or needing urgent treatment or support. Upon identification, Medicare Mental Health will provide immediate support over the phone.
How does Medicare Mental Health IAR assessment operate?
Not everyone will require an IAR assessment, it is for those wanting more than information or assistance with identifying appropriate services. Medicare Mental Health has mental health professionals trained to use the Initial Assessment and Referral Decision Support Tool (IAR-DST).
Using this tool while asking a few questions about the person’s need and current support provides a clearer picture for both the person and the clinician to discuss the types of services available and the preferred service for a warm referral.
What happens after a person is referred to Medicare Mental Health?
Once a referral has been received and an assessment completed, Medicare Mental Health will undertake a warm handover of consumers to suitable services in the local system. Warm transfer includes securely transferring the person’s information through confidential digital solutions to the treating service provider.
With consumer consent, any outcomes of a patient referred to another mental health provider will be reported to the referring service.
All people referred to services will be followed up by Medicare Mental Health team via phone or SMS within seven business days of the initial assessment.
Is Medicare Mental Health mandatory for commissioned service providers?
Is there a waitlist to access Medicare Mental Health?
No. Medicare Mental Health does not have a waitlist, it is an assessment and referral service and is not a service delivery program. Clients cannot be held or case managed by this service.
Will consumers receive case management while waiting for an assessment and referral by Medicare Mental Health team?
No. Medicare Mental Health is only an assessment and referral service. It is not a service delivery program, and consumers will not be case managed by this service. Medicare Mental Health is not responsible for meeting other service gaps in the local service system.
Who delivers Medicare Mental Health for Country to Coast, Queensland?
Healthdirect has been commissioned by CCQ to deliver Medicare Mental Health.
Medicare Mental Health is delivered by Country to Coast, QLD through the Australian Government’s PHN Program
