Frequently asked questions.
What if I need emergency support?
This is not an emergency or crisis service. If you need urgent help please contact your nearest hospital emergency department; telephone 000 for immediate assistance and support; or telephone a free crisis support service such as:
Kids Helpline (free call for 5-25 years old) on 1800 551 800
Lifeline (for all ages) on 13 11 14
1800 RESPECT family violence on 1800 737 328
Mensline on 1300 78 99 78
SuicideLine Victoria on 1300 651 251
These services may also have online video or chat based support.
What ages do you work with?
Amber consults with children, adolescents, young people and adults. She may work with individuals, parents, couples or families depending on the referral needs.
Where do you consult?
I have consulting room locations based in Melbourne and regional New South Wales where I consult in person and via Telehealth.
When do you consult?
Appointments are offered on weekdays, both daytime and evenings. In person and Telehealth (according to Medicare or Private Health Insurance eligibility) consultations are offered.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic appointments are currently provided via Telehealth video based or telephone consultations where possible, provided they suit your individual circumstances.
How long are appointments?
Initial appointments are longer than subsequent appointments. Please allow 90 minutes for your first appointment and 60 minutes for other appointments. Ongoing extended appointments are available by arrangement.
Do you offer Telehealth or telephone appointments?
Appointments are available via Telehealth video based or telephone consultations where video is not possible, provided they suit your individual circumstances.
Medicare and private health insurance rebates are currently available for all Telehealth consultations across Australia with a relevant GP referral and treatment plan. Please ask more about this when you book your appointment. More information is also available at http://www.health.gov.au/ .
Do I need a doctor’s referral?
Self referrals are welcome. You will require a referral from your GP, Psychiatrist or Paediatrician to be eligible to claim from Medicare under the applicable program. See the link for more information on funding https://www.psychology.org.au/for-the-public/Medicare-rebates-psychological-services. The most common program is the Better Access initiative, where eligible people can receive:
Up to 10 individual sessions in a calendar year (1 January to 31 December).
Up to 10 group therapy sessions in a calendar year where such services are available and seen as appropriate by your referring doctor and psychologist.
From 8 October 2020 to 31 December 2022 the Better Access initiative was extended from 10 to 20 sessions to provide greater support across Australia during the pandemic.
Referrals cannot be provided for the full 10 sessions at once. A initial referral is for a maximum of 6 sessions. Your referring doctor will assess your progress after the first 6 sessions and determine whether further sessions are needed. It is the individual’s responsibility to seek their own referral, track their attendance and due dates for the required GP reviews to update their treatment plan with their referring doctor.
Patients are required to:
have a Mental Health Care Plan (or other Medicare based treatment plan) to claim Medicare rebates;
track the number of sessions available and used on their treatment plan referrals;
schedule reviews with their GP, psychiatrist or paediatrician after their 6th and 10th session when using a mental health treatment plan (or as required according to other programs of funding) to determine if they are eligible for further Medicare rebate sessions.
Information for referring doctors
If you are contacting us regarding a new referral enquiry please be aware new referrals are accepted on the basis of appointment availability, presenting issues and clinical needs. Please contact me to discuss individual patient needs and/or send me a copy of the referral letter and mental health care plan to assist me in prioritising new referrals. Amber is accepting new referrals with an approximate usual wait period of 3-4 weeks.
Please send all referrals and Mental Health Care Plans directly to Amber Scanlon Psychology by Fax 03 9957 2220 or email info@amberscanlonpsychology.me (for Melbourne and Merimbula). DO NOT send them to Merimbula Psychology reception.
Do you offer Medicare or Private Health Insurance rebates?
Amber is a registered Medicare Provider, however you will usually require a referral and care or treatment plan from your treating doctor, paediatrician or psychiatrist to be eligible to claim under one of the Medicare psychology programs of funding. Medicare rebates vary depending on the type of referral. The current Medicare rebate for a session with Amber under the Better Access Scheme is $137.05. Once you reach your initial Safety Net Threshold that will increase to $161.20. Safety Net Thresholds are revised on 1 January each year. Once you reach your Extended Safety Net Threshold your rebate will increase to 80% of your out of pocket costs. For more information on Safety Net Thresholds and your eligibility see https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/services/medicare/medicare-safety-nets/what-are-thresholds
Please discuss your eligibility for Private Health Insurance rebates with your provider. The exception to this is the Better Access Bushfire Recovery Initiative, self-referrals welcomed.
What are your fees and payment options?
This is not a bulk billing service however in exceptional circumstances a reduced fee for co-payments may be negotiated for those experiencing financial hardship. This is generally evidenced by a Medicare concessional eligibility check and/or a concession card.
All fees are currently set below the Australian Psychological Society recommended fee schedule: https://www.psychology.org.au/for-the-public/about-psychology/what-it-costs.
Please discuss current fee rates at the time of booking your first appointment.
The initial appointment is charged at a higher time-proportionate fee as it is a longer appointment. Standard fees apply for weekday appointments until 5pm. After hours appointments include all appointments that run after 5pm onwards weekdays and these will incur an additional surcharge.
The fee for other services, for example written reports, psychometric assessment or court matters will incur additional charges and will be advised at the time of request.
Full payment is required on the day of your appointment. Medicare claims for rebate are lodged upon full payment. Private Health Insurance claims are your responsibility to lodge with your private health insurer. All patients are required to pay by EFTPOS / Credit Card at the end of their appointment and in advance of Telehealth appointments or written reports, assessments, court matters.
Are there cancellation fees?
It remains your responsibility to record your appointments in your diary and commit your own time to ensure you can attend, in the same way that Amber commits her own time to each appointment scheduled.
Courtesy email reminders are sent prior to your appointment in order to give you enough time to consider if you cannot attend, and then to reschedule or cancel your appointment to avoid the cancellation fee. However, it is recommended you do not rely on these notifications alone as technical difficulties can arise.
It remains your responsibility to notify Amber if you cannot attend. Cancellations or reschedule requests can be made via text or email.
We understand that sometimes you may be unable to keep an appointment because of sudden illness or an unexpected personal emergency. If this happens to you, please contact Amber as soon as possible to explain in order to have your fee waivered where applicable.
Ideally advance notice is requested out of courtesy to allow us to offer the appointment slot to someone else in need of an appointment. A minimum of 48 hours (2 business days, excluding weekends and public holidays) written notice before your appointment means there is no fee payable. Cancellations made within 24-48 hours (between 1-2 business days, excluding weekends and public holidays) written notice will result in a cancellation fee equivalent to half the cost of your appointment. Failure to give a minimum of 24 hours ( 1 business day, excluding weekends and public holidays) written notice will result in the full cost of your appointment being charged. This fee is not covered by Medicare / TAC / WorkCover / Third Parties / Private Health Insurance and applies to all patients. Non-attendance and cancellation fees will be processed using the credit card details you supply at your first appointment.
We will always do our best to get someone from the waiting list to take your appointment over, no matter when you cancel, and if we can do this, even within the late cancellation window you definitely won’t be charged. However, the only way we can guarantee you wont be charged a cancellation fee is if you provide at least two business days written notice (excluding weekends and public holidays).
St Kilda Road: What transport or parking is there nearby?
Allow additional time for transport and parking due to current government construction works in the Anzac Metro Tunnel Station Big Build Project.
Metered parking in St Kilda Road: 1hr in the outer lane (going towards the city), 4 hrs in the lane beside the park (usually available). Free & unlimited after 6pm and weekends.
Metered parking in Park Street: 2hrs. Free & unlimited after 6pm and weekends.
Metered parking in Park Street, Palmerston Cres, Wells St, Dorcas Street: 2hrs. Free & unlimited after 6pm and weekends.
Paid carpark at rear of building in Wells Street.
Tram Terminus Anzac Station Stop #20 on St Kilda Rd.
A 5 minute tram ride or 20 minute walk from Flinders St Station.