One of the most common questions people have after getting a mental health care plan is: How long does this actually last?
The answer isn’t complicated, but the system doesn’t always make it obvious. It depends on a few things: how many sessions you’ve used, whether your referral is current, and where you are in the calendar year.
This article covers how sessions work, when your plan resets, what happens at the review, and a few things neurodivergent adults often want to know.
This is general information current at the time of writing, not personalised medical advice.
How Long Does a Mental Health Care Plan Last?
A mental health care plan doesn’t have a set expiry date. It remains valid as long as you have sessions remaining and a current referral.
What resets is your Medicare session entitlement. That happens every calendar year (January to December), giving you access to up to 10 individual Medicare-rebated sessions per year.
Your GP may choose to write a new plan annually or review and continue the existing one, depending on your needs. The plan itself doesn’t “expire” at the end of the year, but your session count goes back to zero.
How Do the Sessions Work?
Your GP refers you for an initial 6 sessions with an eligible mental health professional. This could be a psychologist, an accredited mental health social worker, or an occupational therapist.
After those 6 sessions, you return to your GP for a review. They’ll check how things are going and decide whether to refer you for up to 4 more. That gives a maximum of 10 individual Medicare-rebated sessions per calendar year.
If you don’t use all 10, unused sessions don’t carry over into the next year. They reset in January regardless of when your plan was created.
When Does a Mental Health Care Plan Need to Be Renewed?
Plans are typically reviewed every 12 months, or sooner if your needs change.
At the start of a new calendar year, your Medicare session count resets. You’ll need to see your GP to get a new or updated referral to continue accessing rebated sessions. Your GP may write a fresh plan or do a review consultation depending on the situation.
If your circumstances have changed (new concerns, different goals, different practitioner), it’s worth flagging this at the review so the plan reflects where you’re at now.
Can I Change My Practitioner During a Plan?
Yes. You’re not locked into a specific practitioner.
Under Medicare legislation, your referral doesn’t have to be addressed to a named health professional. This is called provider choice. If your referral is addressed to a psychologist, for example, you can still choose to see an accredited mental health social worker instead. AMHSWs are registered Medicare providers of “Focused Psychological Strategies,” the same service type provided by psychologists and occupational therapists under the Better Access initiative.
So if the fit isn’t right with your current practitioner, or you want to try someone with a different approach, you can do that without going back to your GP for a new referral. Your remaining sessions still apply.
What This Looks Like for Neurodivergent Adults
For people with ADHD, the administrative side of managing a mental health care plan can be a challenge in itself. Remembering to book the GP review, tracking how many sessions you’ve used, keeping referrals current – These are all executive function tasks landing at a time when executive function is already stretched.
A few things that can help:
Set a calendar reminder after session 5 to book your GP review. Ask your practitioner’s admin team to help you track where you’re at. If you’re unsure whether your plan is still active, your GP can check.
It’s also worth knowing that Medicare-rebated sessions can be used with accredited mental health social workers, not only psychologists. AMHSWs provide services under the same Medicare item as psychologists, and at TDE, our AMHSWs bring neurodivergent lived experience alongside their clinical qualifications. If you’re looking for neurodivergent-affirming counselling, this is one of the most accessible pathways.
A Gentle Next Step
The short version: your plan lasts as long as you have sessions and a referral. Sessions reset each calendar year. A GP review is needed after session 6 and when renewing.
If you have a mental health care plan and you’re looking for a neurodivergent-affirming practitioner, The Divergent Edge offers Medicare-rebated counselling through our accredited mental health social workers. We have practitioners at different fee points with a range of professional backgrounds and expertise. You’re welcome to get in touch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do mental health care plan sessions expire?
Unused sessions don’t carry over. Your 10 Medicare-rebated sessions reset each calendar year (January to December).
Do I need a new referral every year?
Yes. Even if your plan is still current, you’ll need a new or updated referral from your GP to continue claiming Medicare rebates in a new calendar year.
Can I use a mental health care plan for ADHD support?
A mental health care plan covers treatment for diagnosed mental health conditions. Many people with ADHD access Medicare-rebated sessions for co-occurring conditions such as anxiety disorders, depression, cPTSD, bipolar disorder or OCD, addictive behaviours, stress management, building interpersonal communication skills, and disordered eating. Your GP can help you determine what’s appropriate for your plan.
How much does each session cost with a mental health care plan?
Medicare covers a portion of the fee. The gap between the practitioner’s fee and the Medicare rebate is your out-of-pocket cost. At The Divergent Edge, we have practitioners at different fee points. Contact reception to find out what the gap would be for the practitioner you’re considering.
Can I see a social worker instead of a psychologist under a mental health care plan?
Yes. Accredited mental health social workers are eligible providers under the Better Access initiative, just like psychologists and occupational therapists. Under Medicare’s provider choice rules, you can choose to see an AMHSW even if your referral names a different professional type.
