Better Access: MBS Item Reform

In response to the Better Access evaluation, the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing is making changes to the Better Access initiative that are scheduled to come into effect on November 1, 2025. The changes include:

Linking the preparation of a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP), referrals for treatment and reviews of a MHTP to either a patient’s GP at their MyMedicare registered practice or their usual medical practitioner, to improve continuity of care.
- Important note: patients can choose to see their usual medical practitioner irrespective of their existing MyMedicare registered status.
- For the purpose of these changes, a patient’s usual medical practitioner is defined as someone who has provided the majority of services to the person in the previous 12 months or who is likely to provide the majority of services to the person in the following 12 months.
Removal of MHTP review and mental health consultation items under the MBS, with GPs able to use time-tiered professional (general attendance) items to review, refer and/or provide ongoing mental health consultation for a patient’s mental health. This allows GPs greater flexibility to determine the appropriate amount of time needed.
The MyMedicare and usual medical practitioner requirements will also apply to GP telehealth items for MHTPs, with these services no longer exempt from the established clinical relationship rule. Further information on the GP MBS telehealth (video and phone) established clinical relationship criteria and exemptions will be available from 1 November 2025 in explanatory note AN.1.1 on MBS Online.