Family and Carer Participation under the Better Access Initiative

From 1 March 2023, there will be 48 new time-tiered MBS items available to deliver sessions to a patient’s family and carers under the Better Access to Psychiatrists, Psychologists and General Practitioners through the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) initiative (Better Access).

The 48 new time-tiered items allow two Medicare-subsidised services per calendar year, to be provided to a person other than the patient, where:
• The patient has been referred for Better Access services (for allied health professionals delivering these services);
• The treating or referring practitioner determines it is clinically appropriate;
• The patient consents for the service to be provided to the person as part of their treatment;
• The service is part of the patient’s treatment; and
• The patient is not in attendance.

These MBS changes recognise the important role that family members and carers play in supporting patients with mental illness, and positively involve family and carers in a patient’s treatment and care where it would be beneficial to the patient.

Further information is available in the following factsheet.

Word Version Family and Carer Participation under the Better Access Initiative (Word 133 KB)
PDF Version Family and Carer Participation under the Better Access Initiative (PDF 222 KB)