COVID-19 Oceanside Clinical Psychology Update
In the best interests of our clients and our clinical psychologists, all Oceanside Clinical Psychology face to face appointments will be offered as telehealth appointments, if requested by you or your psychologist, from Monday 23rd March 2020 until further notice.
We feel it is our social, moral and ethical obligation to contribute to social distancing as best we can, and to ensure the ongoing health and safety of our clients and our community.
All our clients who have appointments in the next 7 days will be contacted directly to confirm their appointment times. We will continue to update our clients up to 7 days ahead of prescheduled appointments.
Due to Kirsty’s family commitments changes to appointments may need to be made. We wish to assure you that we will do our absolute best to try and accommodate your needs during these unprecedented times.
Information about Fees and Charges
Medicare Clients
Medicare clients are able to claim a rebate if they meet the current criteria for Telehealth services under the special COVID-19 items.
The current criteria is listed below and generally only applies to those seen as “at risk” of contracting COVID-19
patient at risk of COVID-19 virus means a person that
(a) has been diagnosed with COVID-19 virus but who is not a patient of a hospital; or
(b) has been required to isolate themselves in quarantine in accordance with home isolation guidance issued by Australian Health Protection Principal Committee; or
(c) considered more susceptible to the COVID-19 virus being:
(i) at least 70 years old, or
(ii) at least 50 years old or over if of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent; or
(iii) pregnant; or
(iv) a parent of a child under 12 months; or
(v) a person under treatment for chronic health conditions or who are immune compromised
As of Friday 20th March 2020, other clients being seen under a MHCP are not eligible for Medicare rebate if Telehealth is the mode of delivery.
We will do our utmost to work with you to ensure continuity of care.
We are hopeful that shortly the government will extend telehealth services to all clients who possess a MHCP.
NDIS
Clients seen under a current NDIS service agreement will be seen via telehealth and will need to email authorisation for this change in service delivery.
Private Clients/ Private Health Insurance Clients
This will be discussed with you on a case by case basis.
We thank you in advance for your patience and understanding during this time.
We are receiving a high volume of calls and emails during this time, and we are working hard to respond as quickly as we can.
Please contact Kirsty directly on kirsty@oceansideclinicalpsychology.com if or 0490965257 if you have questions or concerns you would like to discuss this directly.