When we left the hospital after my daughters suicide attempt, we were told by the hospital staff to see our family GP. Operating on autopilot in shock and terror we did, the GP referred us to a psychiatrist $475.00 who referred us to a couple of psychologist - after being on the waiting list for a couple of weeks we booked an appoint with the psychologist $ 260.00. When I booked the appointment with the Psychologist I was informed about Mental Health Plans. So. I booked another appointment with the GP who would not give me a Mental Health Plan as I had attended without my daughter. (wasted visit) and was advise that the Psychiatrist should have done the MHP as she was the one who arranged the referral to the psychologist. So the last 7 visits with the Psychologist I have paid without a MHP $200.00. I took my daughter back to the Psychiatrist $ 400.00 last week to discuss medication as well as the weekly visits with the Psychologist. The Psychiatrist advised me thru during this visit that because the referral was by a Psychiatrist that the MHP is automatic, but not all Psychologist or even Medicare staff would know this. BUT..... I am going to take my daughter to the family GP to arrange repeat prescription for my daughter new medication.... Hopefully she will write a MHP then, though I am sure I will have to make two appointments, one for the MHP and one for the Prescription. I say this because,when my daughter had blood test and we went to get the results the GP would not do the MHP at the same time. I have been informed that the GP's fee for the MHP is $200.00, I hope I can talk her into just charging me for a consultation as well. All the running around is stressful............ hope my saga of a tale was not too long
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