Psychiatry

Can an inpatient of a private psychiatric hospital attend bulk billed outpatient appointments whether by telehealth or face-to-face?

28 October 24

This question came from a consumer. I am an inpatient in a private mental health unit in a private hospital. I am under an inpatient psychiatrist. While I am an inpatient, I have a telehealth review consultation booked with an outpatient psychiatrist who is known to me. I also have a review consultation with an outpatient specialist in person, and a review consultation in an outpatient clinic at a public hospital. I am allowed to leave the private hospital to attend the in-person consults and will then return. But I have heard that these services can’t be bulk billed. I am a pensioner so cannot afford private fees.

Do I need a specific referral to admit the patient privately for every episode requiring admission?

27 September 24

No additional context was provided.

Can another psychiatrist, who is known to the patient, be the second participating doctor in a case conference?

10 July 20

Question: For case conferences involving psychiatrists and allied health personnel (item 855 to 866) can the conference include the treating psychiatrist, another psychiatrist known to the patient, and then allied health or mental health nurses who treat the patient in an ambulatory setting, or does the patient’s GP need to be involved as the second doctor? If so, can that GP be included via teleconference/video conference?