Referrals
In order to see Dr Isabel Fernandez, or any member of the team, you are not required to obtain a referral unless you want to claim through the Medicare Better Access initiative.
Referrals can be obtained from your General Practitioner or a Psychiatrist. Under Medicare [a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan - under item 2710], you are able to claim a rebate for 10 individual sessions (6 + 4) per calendar year, with a review by the referring doctor required after the initial six sessions.
EFTPOS facilities are available and payment is required at time of consultation. We are able to process your Medicare rebate on the day with a current Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) referral, the current Psychology rebate is $93.35 and the Clinical Psychology rebate is $137.05.
Please remember to bring your referral letter with you to your first consultation to enable us to process your Medicare rebate if applicable. Similarly, we require your GP's review paperwork.
Some clients will continue with therapy beyond the number of sessions per calendar year covered by Medicare. Some may choose to use their private health cover from then on. Please check with your private health fund to determine rebate.
Clinical Session Fees as of 1st June 2024
A standard consultation is 50 minutes in duration. Please note that for access and affordability reasons, the practice chooses to set their fee below the recommended fee set by the Australian Psychological Association [$300].
Clinical Psychologist
Standard consult fee $250 [med. rebate $137.05]
Registered Psychologist
Standard consult fee $210 [med. rebate $93.35]
We kindly request at least 24 hours' notice prior to your scheduled appointment if you cannot attend. This policy allows us to offer the appointment to those on our wait-list. If less than 24 hours notice is received a $100 cancellation fee may be charged. Please note that Medicare/Private Health Funds do not reimburse missed appointment or late cancellation fees. Thank you for understanding how important our policy on cancelled or missed appointments is to the running of the practice.
Clinical Services Fees
Commencing 1st June 2024 additional clinical services such as those listed below will be billed:
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liaison with schools and teachers
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liaison with agencies involved in your care other than your referrer
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letters to support insurance or other third parties (for example, legal firms)
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letters to employers and universities
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applications and letters to support other client goals, be it requested by the client or third party
The cost will depend on the length of the letter or report and the time taken to compile it. Reports and extended liaison are not part of the standard consultation fee. However, reports can be requested and a quote for a report can be provided.
As a standard part of your therapy sessions, your clinician will continue to provide:
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communications with your general practitioner/referrer
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responses to short emails and calls
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treatment planning and preparation
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scoring and interpretation of clinical measures
National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
Clients who have NDIS packages may use their funding to cover the fees for services at Fernandez Psychology only if their package is self-managed or plan-managed by a third party. The Psychologists at Fernandez Psychology are not registered providers of services under the NDIS. Therefore, clients who have packages managed directly by the NDIS are unable to use their NDIS funds to pay for services at Fernandez Psychology.
Insurance Related Sessions and EAP Services
Fees for insurance related services (eg: Workcover, ICWA) are available from our reception team. Please contact our office on 9447 2000.