About 7.3 million (29.2%) of these services were delivered via telehealth (either telephone or videoconference) with $877.5 million in benefits paid for telehealth services. The evaluation is due for completion in 2022.īetween 16 March 2020 and 9 January 2022, about 25.0 million MBS-subsidised mental health-related services were processed nationally (and $2.8 billion in benefits were paid). Future arrangements under the initiative, including the number of sessions, will be guided by the outcomes of the Better Access evaluation currently underway. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government has invested $195.1 million (combined total: DoH 2020a, DoH 2020b, DoH 2021b) to double the number of Medicare-subsidised psychological therapy sessions to 20 per year until 31 December 2022, and to make these available to residents of aged care facilities for the first time. Services under the Better Access to Psychiatrists, Psychologists and General Practitioners through the MBS initiative (Better Access) are available for people with a clinically diagnosed mental disorder to receive up to 10 individual and 10 group mental health services per calendar year ( DoH 2021a). These MBS items include mental health services provided by GPs, psychiatrists, psychologists, and other allied health workers. This was intended to help reduce the risk of community transmission of COVID-19 and provide protection for both patients and health care providers by reducing the need for face-to-face contact. Mental Health Service Activity in Australia Medicare-subsidised mental health-specific servicesĭuring the COVID-19 pandemic, the Australian Government introduced a wide range of additional services to the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) to support provision of health care via telehealth (telephone and videoconference). Beyond Blue received 21,425 contacts, down 5.7% and up 26.7% from the same periods 1 and 2 years ago respectively.Kids Helpline received 22,935 answerable contact attempts, up 1.8% and 0.4% from the same periods 1 and 2 years ago respectively.Lifeline received 89,679 calls, up 6.5% and 16.0% from the same periods 1 and 2 years ago respectively.

These patterns were observed across all jurisdictions. From mid-May 2020 to mid-November 2021, weekly volume tracked above the same week one year prior. The volume of mental health-related PBS prescriptions dispensed spiked in March 2020 when COVID-19 restrictions were first introduced, followed by a dip in April 2020.

In the four weeks to 9 January 2022, 30.2% of MBS mental health services were delivered via telehealth.

MBS-subsidised mental health services delivered via telephone or videoconference peaked during April 2020 when about half of MBS mental health services were delivered via telehealth.

Between 16 March 2020 and 9 January 2022, almost 25 million MBS-subsidised mental health-related services were processed.

Beyond blue youth