Claiming Mental Health Treatment with Doctors Health Fund

Doctors Health Fund does allow you to claim mental health services through its extras cover. If you're seeking counselling or any type of mental health service and you are coverd by Doctors Health Fund insurance, this article details how you can maximise your benefits.

Who should I see?

Psychologists, counsellors, social workers and psychotherapists are all examples of mental health professionals that can support you. These health professionals all fall under the umbrella of a therapist. If you are unsure what the difference is between all these types of therapists, check out our blog post explaining the differences.

If you are with Doctors Health Fund and you plan to claim your mental health insurance, you must ensure they are a Doctors Health Fund recognised therapist. We've made it easy for you to see all the Doctors Health Fund therapists who are available right now.

Do Doctors Health Fund Extras cover mental health?

For Doctors Health Fund to cover the cost (or part of the cost) of your therapy session, the therapist must meet their criteria. Doctors Health Fund makes it clear that Doctors Health Fund Extras covers mental health services but can only be used for consultations with a psychologist or Doctors Health Fund recognised counsellor.

You cannot claim the therapy fee from a therapist who is not approved by Doctors Health Fund. This applies even if you are covered for the service.

We have made it easy for you to see an approved Doctors Health Fund recognised counsellor or therapist. If you book with one of these therapists you will be able to claim the cost back easily.

In addition to choosing an approved therapist, you must also check that your Doctors Health Fund Extras cover includes mental health services. Doctors Health Fund normally pays $100 towards the cost of psychology and counselling with a registered mental health practitioner. However it's always good to check. Use the link below to log in to your Doctors Health Fund account and check.

Check my Doctors Health Fund Cover

How to claim mental health from Doctors Health Fund Extras?

When using Talked to see your Doctors Health Fund approved therapist, you will be required to pay for it upfront. After your session, can then access your invoice which you can then use to submit a claim to Doctors Health Fund.

If you book a therapist through Talked then you'll simply be able to log in to your account and download the invoice. The Talked platform automatically populates with the exact information Doctors Health Fund requires to submit a claim, including the therapist's provider number.

Once you have your invoice you can follow these simple steps to submit a claim:

1. Log in to your Doctors Health Fund login

2. Select "make a claim" from the menu options

3. Upload the invoice

4. Click submit

Doctors Health Fund has a two month waiting period for psychology and counselling mental health support.

Does Doctors Health Fund cover online therapy?

Online therapy is a necessary and integral part of the mental health system. This was particularly shown during the coronavirus lockdowns. Online therapist has shown its benefits by help and support to people who may not have had access to such services. Doctors Health Fund recognises this and provides cover for it.

It is important to check what mental health services are covered under your extras. You can check this in your Doctors Health Fund account.

Can I claim a psychologist fee on Doctors Health Fund and Medicare?

Medicare and Doctors Health Fund can not be used at the same time to claim for psychologist fees. If you see a psychologist you must decide whether you claim the cost through Medicare or your Doctors Health Fund policy. You may not claim from both.

If you are eligible for Medicare, your psychologist may still charge a gap fee.

If you wish to use the Medicare rebate to see a psychologist, you must talk with your GP and get a referral. The process can be a bit confusing, but we've made it simple with our guide to booking your first Medicare appointment. In short, to obtain the Medicare rebate your GP must write a Mental Health Treatment Plan and referral to your psychologist. If you do not have a regular GP, you can book in a session with Talked's GP and to obtain your bulk billed MHTP.

Where can I find Doctors Health Fund approved therapists?

We've made it super easy for you to find and connect with a Doctors Health Fund approved therapist online. Browse our list of Doctors Health Fund approved therapists, book a session and connect with them via our secure video service.

After your appointment, we will provide you with an invoice containing all the information you need to claim mental health benefits from Doctors Health Fund.

Not with Doctors Health Fund? Don't worry, we have your back. After you see your therapist, claim your mental health rebate from Medibank, ahm, Bupa, Police Health, CUA Health, nib, HBF, HCF, Australian Unity, CBHS Health, GMHBA, Peoplecare, Westfund and many more private health insurers.