Let’s be honest, accessing mental health support shouldn’t feel like a luxury. But for a lot of people, the cost of seeing a psychologist can be a barrier. At Human First, we’re all about making therapy more affordable and accessible, whether that’s through Medicare rebates or private health insurance.
If you’ve got private health cover and you’re wondering “Can I claim online psychology appointments through my fund?”, the answer is: sometimes, yes! But there are a few things you need to know first.
So if this is a question you have asked, we’ll break it all down so you can make the most of your benefits and focus on what really matters your wellbeing.
First Things First: Can You Claim Psychology Through Private Health?
Yes, many private health insurance policies in Australia offer extras cover for psychology, which means they’ll reimburse you part of the cost of seeing a psychologist. This usually applies to in-person sessions, but since 2020, more and more funds now recognise that online psychology is just as valid and have extended their cover to include telehealth appointments too.
Whether you’re accessing support from your kitchen table or your couch in a regional town, if your policy includes psychology and you’re seeing a registered psychologist, you may be eligible for a rebate.
What Kind of Cover Do You Need?
To claim private health on your psychology sessions, here’s what generally needs to line up:
- You must have extras cover that includes psychological services
- Your sessions must be with a registered psychologist (which all of our clinicians at Human First are)
- The psychologist must issue a proper receipt or invoice after the session (we’ve got that covered)
- The session must be paid in full first, before you submit a claim
It’s important to note that you usually can’t claim for a missed appointment or a cancellation fee, even with insurance.
How Much Will I Get Back from Private Health Insurance?
That depends entirely on your fund and the level of extras cover you’ve got. Some people get $30 back per session, others get over $100, though that’s typically with top-tier cover.
You might also have:
- Annual limits (e.g. $400 total psychology rebate per year)
- Session caps (e.g. up to 6 or 10 sessions per year)
- Waiting periods, especially if you’ve just added psychology to your cover
Every health fund is different, and sometimes even two people with the same insurer will have different rebate amounts based on their policy.
Which Health Funds Cover Online Psychology?
Here’s a quick look at some of the Australian health funds that have previously covered telehealth psychology sessions (though you should always double-check your own policy):
- Bupa – Telehealth psychology supported under extras with eligible providers
- Medibank – Offers cover for online sessions with registered psychologists
- HCF – Includes online mental health services in many extras policies
- nib – Allows psychology claims under extras, often including online delivery
- Teachers Health / Nurses & Midwives Health / UniHealth – Rebates for online sessions available depending on policy
- Australian Unity, CBHS, AHM and others – Many now cover telehealth sessions due to increased demand and accessibility
Note: Some funds only started covering telehealth psychology after the pandemic, so it’s always best to ring your provider and confirm they’ve kept this option going.
Can I Use Medicare and Private Health at the Same Time?
Here’s a common question: Can I use both Medicare and private health for the same session?
The answer is no, you have to choose one or the other.
If you’ve got a Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP, you can get Medicare rebates for up to 10 sessions per year with a registered psychologist. These rebates usually leave a small out-of-pocket fee.
Once you’ve used those up, some people switch to claiming sessions through their private health (if they are eligible), which can help lower the cost for the rest of the year.
Tip: You usually don’t need a referral to claim through private health. So, if you’d rather skip the GP or don’t qualify for Medicare rebates, private insurance might be your best option.
How It Works at Human First
At Human First, we make the process of claiming with private health insurance as easy as possible. Our psychologists are all registered and recognised by Australian private health funds.
Here’s how it works:
- Book your online session through our website
- Attend your session via secure video link
- Pay the session fee in full after your appointment
- Receive your invoice, which includes everything your health fund needs to process a claim
- Submit your claim through your health fund’s website, app, or by phone
- Receive your rebate straight back into your bank account (if eligible)
We’re also happy to work with you if you need support understanding your policy or getting the right info from your fund.
What If I’m Not Covered?
If your extras cover doesn’t include psychology or if your fund doesn’t recognise online sessions, you’ve still got options.
- You might be eligible for a Medicare rebates with a Mental Health Treatment Plan
- We offer reduced fees for initial sessions to help you get started
- Some clients find they only need a few sessions to make meaningful progress
- You can choose to self-fund therapy for full flexibility and no session limits
Our goal is always to work with your budget, not against it.
Why It’s Worth Looking Into
Many people don’t even realise their private health insurance includes psychology, let alone online sessions. A quick phone call to your fund could save you hundreds of dollars a year and make it easier to access ongoing support.
Mental health care should never be out of reach because of cost. And if you’ve been paying for extras cover, it makes sense to get the most out of it.
Got Questions? Let’s Chat
We know the world of insurance can be confusing, but you don’t have to figure it out alone. Our admin team at Human First is here to help guide you through the process and make sure you’re getting the support you’re entitled to.
If you’re ready to take that first step, or just want to know what your options are, we’d love to hear from you.
Book online in just a few clicks or get in touch and we’ll help you work out whether you can use private health insurance for online psychology.
