Let's be honest: navigating Medicare has never exactly been a walk in the park. But since MyMedicare rolled out its changes, the mental health referral process has become a whole new beast. And if you're not paying attention, you could accidentally lose access to the therapy sessions you desperately need.

We've seen it happen countless times at our clinics in Croydon, Mitcham, and Lilydale. Someone books in with one of our psychologists, thinking everything's sorted, only to discover their referral isn't valid anymore. Or they've burned through their Medicare-rebated sessions without realising it. It's frustrating, confusing, and honestly? Totally avoidable.

So let's break down the seven biggest mistakes people are making with their mental health referrals in 2026: and more importantly, how to fix them before they cost you your sessions.

Mistake #1: Not Registering with Your Usual GP Under MyMedicare

Here's the thing: MyMedicare isn't just some optional bureaucratic checkbox. It's now the backbone of how your mental health care is coordinated. If you haven't formally registered with your regular GP under the MyMedicare system, you're missing out on better care coordination and potentially longer consultation times.

How to fix it: Have a chat with your GP about registering. It takes about two minutes and links you to your preferred practice. If you're looking for a General Practitioner in Mitcham or elsewhere, make sure they're set up with MyMedicare before you get your Mental Health Treatment Plan sorted.

The registration means your GP can see your mental health care history more easily and coordinate better with your psychologist. It's not just paperwork: it's actually about keeping everyone on the same page about your wellbeing.

Mistake #2: Assuming Your Pre-2025 Referral Still Works

This one catches people out all the time. You had a perfectly good Mental Health Treatment Plan from 2024, you've still got sessions left, so you assume you can just keep booking in with your psychologist, right?

Wrong.

MyMedicare changes mean that referrals and treatment plans now need to be reviewed more regularly, and the communication between your GP and psychologist has become more structured. That old referral might not cut it anymore.

How to fix it: Check with your GP whether your existing treatment plan needs updating to comply with current MyMedicare requirements. Don't assume: ask directly. Your psychologist's admin team can also flag this when you book, but it's better to be proactive. At Inspire Health and Medical, we always double-check referral validity before appointments to avoid any surprise out-of-pocket costs.

Mistake #3: Forgetting to Tell Your Psychologist About MyMedicare Changes

Your psychologist isn't a mind reader (despite what you might hope during tough sessions). If you've changed GPs, updated your MyMedicare registration, or had your treatment plan revised, your psychologist needs to know.

When these administrative details fall through the cracks, it can mess up Medicare claims, meaning you might pay full price for sessions that should have been partially rebated.

How to fix it: Bring your updated referral or Mental Health Treatment Plan to your next session. Email it ahead if you can. Our team at our Croydon and Lilydale clinics always appreciate a heads-up about any changes: it helps us keep your records current and your claims smooth.

Mistake #4: Missing Your 12-Month Treatment Plan Review

Mental Health Treatment Plans expire. Full stop. Most are valid for 12 months, but some GPs write them for shorter periods depending on your situation. Once that expiry date hits, your Medicare rebates disappear until you get a new plan.

The tricky part? Your psychologist might not realise your plan has expired if you don't tell them. Then you're hit with a bill you weren't expecting.

How to fix it: Set a reminder in your phone for about 11 months after your GP writes your treatment plan. Book a review appointment with your GP before the year is up. If you're seeing one of our psychologists in Croydon or at any of our locations, we'll usually flag this for you, but it's always smart to track it yourself.

Pro tip: If you're approaching your review date and struggling to get a GP appointment, book it early. Better to have a plan that overlaps by a few weeks than to have a gap with no coverage.

Mistake #5: Confusing Your Mental Health Treatment Plan with Your Referral

This sounds pedantic, but it matters. Your Mental Health Treatment Plan is the document your GP creates outlining your mental health goals and recommended treatment. Your referral is what authorises you to see a specific psychologist or mental health professional.

Under MyMedicare, these two things need to work together properly. You can't just rock up to any psychologist with just a treatment plan: you need the referral too. And that referral needs to specify which provider or practice you're attending.

How to fix it: Make sure you leave your GP appointment with both documents: or at least clear instructions on where they're sending your referral electronically. If you're unsure, ask your GP: "Do I have everything I need to book with a psychologist?"

At Inspire Health and Medical, our admin team can guide you through what's needed when you call to book. We'd rather spend five minutes clarifying paperwork than have you waste a trip or pay unnecessarily.

Mistake #6: Not Tracking Your Remaining Sessions

Medicare typically covers up to 10 psychology sessions per calendar year under a Mental Health Treatment Plan (your GP can refer for an initial 6 sessions, then review and approve up to 4 more). But here's where people trip up: they lose count.

You might think you've only had 7 sessions when you've actually had 9. Then you book your next appointment expecting a Medicare rebate, only to discover you've exceeded your limit.

How to fix it: Keep a simple tally. Use your phone notes, a diary, whatever works. Or ask your psychologist's receptionist how many rebated sessions you have left: we track this for our clients, and most practices do.

Also, remember that the count resets every calendar year (not from when you started therapy). So if you began sessions in November, you'll get a fresh allocation of 10 sessions come January 1st.

Mistake #7: Not Understanding When You Actually Need a GP Referral

Here's a twist: not all mental health services require a GP referral through MyMedicare. If you're seeing a counsellor (as opposed to a registered psychologist), you often don't need a referral at all: but you also won't get the Medicare rebate.

Understanding which services require referrals and which offer Medicare rebates can save you from booking the wrong type of appointment.

How to fix it: Have an honest conversation with your GP about what kind of support you need. If you're dealing with complex mental health issues: think moderate to severe anxiety, depression, trauma, or eating disorders: a referred psychologist with Medicare rebates makes sense.

If you need more general emotional support or coaching-style guidance, you might prefer to book directly with a counsellor without Medicare involvement. Both are valuable; they just work differently within the system.

Our team at Inspire Health and Medical can also help clarify this before you book. We offer both psychology services and counselling, and we're happy to chat about which might suit your situation and budget best.

The Bottom Line

MyMedicare wasn't designed to make your life harder: but let's face it, change is always a bit messy, especially when it involves healthcare bureaucracy. The good news? Once you understand how the system works, it's actually pretty manageable.

The key is staying proactive. Register with your usual GP under MyMedicare. Keep track of your treatment plan dates and remaining sessions. Communicate changes to your psychologist. Don't assume anything about your referral status.

And if you're ever unsure? Just ask. Seriously. Whether you're calling our Croydon, Mitcham, or Lilydale clinics, or checking in with your GP, a quick phone call can save you hours of stress and potential out-of-pocket expenses.

Your mental health matters too much to let administrative confusion get in the way of the support you need. Get your referral sorted, keep it updated, and focus your energy where it belongs: on your wellbeing.

Need to book a Mental Health Treatment Plan review or make an appointment with one of our psychologists? We're here to help make the process as straightforward as possible.