Useful Information for Patients
Do private health funds provides rebates for outpatient services?
Private health funds do not generally provide any rebates for outpatient specialist appointments.
What is the difference between public and private psychiatry?
Public psychiatry and private psychiatry are complementary and may have overlapping services. Private psychiatry is usually able to provide more consistent services as a patient usually sees the same clinician throughout his/her care unless the clinician is on leave. (There will be a covering psychiatrist) Patients usually complain that public service doctors often rotate and move around and they find it difficult to establish an ongoing therapeutic relationship and have to repeat themselves over and over again.
Private psychiatry is unable to manage compulsory patients. (Patients being treated under the mental health act) with the exception of patients in shared care arrangement. (This means that patients have their own public system psychiatrist and case manager and sees the private psychiatrist usually in a psychotherapeutic setting)
Private psychiatric services have limited capacity to attend to psychiatric emergencies. If there is an emergency and/or it is after hours, you/your carer must contact the relevant public mental health service. (Please find attached list of public mental health services within your catchment area). We are happy to be contacted by professionals and will provide relevant information as requested with your written consent.
Patients seen through the public system are usually seen by registrars (doctors-in-training) under the supervision of consultant psychiatrists. Private patients are seen directly by the consultant psychiatrist who makes recommendations about ongoing management.
Services provided by the public hospital are fully covered by Medicare and there are usually no out of pocket costs associated with services.
Private hospitals usually offer outpatient individual and group therapy options not available in the public system. These can have varying levels of cover depending on your private health fund.
Private psychiatry is unable to manage compulsory patients. (Patients being treated under the mental health act) with the exception of patients in shared care arrangement. (This means that patients have their own public system psychiatrist and case manager and sees the private psychiatrist usually in a psychotherapeutic setting)
Private psychiatric services have limited capacity to attend to psychiatric emergencies. If there is an emergency and/or it is after hours, you/your carer must contact the relevant public mental health service. (Please find attached list of public mental health services within your catchment area). We are happy to be contacted by professionals and will provide relevant information as requested with your written consent.
Patients seen through the public system are usually seen by registrars (doctors-in-training) under the supervision of consultant psychiatrists. Private patients are seen directly by the consultant psychiatrist who makes recommendations about ongoing management.
Services provided by the public hospital are fully covered by Medicare and there are usually no out of pocket costs associated with services.
Private hospitals usually offer outpatient individual and group therapy options not available in the public system. These can have varying levels of cover depending on your private health fund.
Do I need to have private health insurance to see a psychiatrist in the private system?
No, but we recommend that patients make sure that they have inpatient psychiatric cover in case it is needed. Health funds may charge an excess for private hospital admissions.
What is the difference between public and private inpatient hospital admissions in psychiatry?
Public hospital psychiatric admissions are usually due to acute (immediate) risks to patients and others. There is usually a very high demand for beds and there is constant pressure to move patients back into the community. Patients are usually accommodated in shared rooms.
Private hospital psychiatric admissions can be acute as well but are mostly elective (non-urgent). Private hospital admission can also be recommended in order to expedite treatment. i.e. changing/rationalizing medications, closer observation and monitoring of mental state. Patient demographics and characteristics usually differ in the private and public setting.
Private hospitals usually offer a broader range of inpatient programs than public hospitals. How do I know if I am seeing the right psychiatrist?
You know you have the right psychiatrist if you feel comfortable and feel that you have been heard and your concerns have been addressed. Feel free to ask a psychiatrist if he is comfortable working with your condition. Some psychiatrists specialize in a subspecialty. You do not necessarily have to see a subspecialist psychiatrist. Your general psychiatrist will refer you to them if required. This is standard practice. Why does it cost so much to see a psychiatrist?
Because psychiatrists like other specialists undergo many years of training to be able to provide you with a service. If you feel like you are not getting value from your sessions, It is important that you discuss this with your psychiatrist.
How do I get the most out of my initial consultation?
Be prepared for the consultation. Make a list of all the questions you have. Forward relevant materials that you want your psychiatrist to know beforehand.
Will I benefit from a structured inpatient rehabilitation program?
Talk to your psychiatrist as rehabilitation programs vary across centres. Each has different philosophies and may have inflexible rules that some patients are unable to tolerate. Participating without adequate knowledge and preparation is like setting yourself up to fail. Repeated failures will damage your self-esteem and confidence. What should I ask my private health fund (regarding mental health cover) before signing up?
No, but we recommend that patients make sure that they have inpatient psychiatric cover in case it is needed. Health funds may charge an excess for private hospital admissions.
What is the difference between public and private inpatient hospital admissions in psychiatry?
Public hospital psychiatric admissions are usually due to acute (immediate) risks to patients and others. There is usually a very high demand for beds and there is constant pressure to move patients back into the community. Patients are usually accommodated in shared rooms.
Private hospital psychiatric admissions can be acute as well but are mostly elective (non-urgent). Private hospital admission can also be recommended in order to expedite treatment. i.e. changing/rationalizing medications, closer observation and monitoring of mental state. Patient demographics and characteristics usually differ in the private and public setting.
Private hospitals usually offer a broader range of inpatient programs than public hospitals. How do I know if I am seeing the right psychiatrist?
You know you have the right psychiatrist if you feel comfortable and feel that you have been heard and your concerns have been addressed. Feel free to ask a psychiatrist if he is comfortable working with your condition. Some psychiatrists specialize in a subspecialty. You do not necessarily have to see a subspecialist psychiatrist. Your general psychiatrist will refer you to them if required. This is standard practice. Why does it cost so much to see a psychiatrist?
Because psychiatrists like other specialists undergo many years of training to be able to provide you with a service. If you feel like you are not getting value from your sessions, It is important that you discuss this with your psychiatrist.
How do I get the most out of my initial consultation?
Be prepared for the consultation. Make a list of all the questions you have. Forward relevant materials that you want your psychiatrist to know beforehand.
Will I benefit from a structured inpatient rehabilitation program?
Talk to your psychiatrist as rehabilitation programs vary across centres. Each has different philosophies and may have inflexible rules that some patients are unable to tolerate. Participating without adequate knowledge and preparation is like setting yourself up to fail. Repeated failures will damage your self-esteem and confidence. What should I ask my private health fund (regarding mental health cover) before signing up?
- Am I covered for inpatient psychiatric admissions?
- How much do I need to pay for in terms of excess? Do I pay this per admission or only once a year?
- How long do I have to be out of hospital prior to being allowed to be re-admitted again?
- Am I covered for attendance in day programs at the relevant hospital?
- Will I be covered for investigations and medications? (Some insurances will only cover psychiatric medications)
- Are there any exclusions?
- Do I need to pay any administrative fees?
- What am I allowed/not allowed to bring in?
- Can I bring in my own supply of medications? (in case insurance does not cover non-psychiatric medications)
- What sort of clothing can I bring in? (clothes without drawstrings)
- Are there any restrictions on electronic equipment? ie cords and chargers