What the November 2025 MBS Changes Mean for Your Mental Health Treatment Plan – And How to Navigate Them

In the world of mental health care, access shouldn’t be a barrier—especially when you’re already navigating tough times. But as we approach November 1, 2025, a key update to Australia’s Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) is set to introduce a new hurdle for telehealth services: a requirement for a face-to-face consultation within the last 12 months for certain mental health items. While the Department of Health positions this as a step toward “continuity of care,” it risks widening the equity gap for patients in isolated, rural, or remote areas who rely on virtual support to bridge geographic divides.

At Teldoc, we’ve built our telehealth platform to make quality GP care—including mental health treatment plans—convenient and affordable, no matter where you are. As Australian-registered doctors offering bulk-billed mental health plans for concession card holders, we’re committed to helping you stay ahead of these changes. In this post, we’ll break down what’s shifting, why it matters (particularly for underserved communities), and practical steps to keep your care on track. Let’s dive in.

What’s Changing? A Quick Rundown of the MBS Updates

Up until now, GP mental health telehealth services under the Better Access initiative—think Mental Health Treatment Plans (MHTPs), reviews, and consultations—have been fully exempt from the “12-month rule.” This rule, introduced to encourage ongoing patient-provider relationships, generally requires at least one in-person visit every 12 months for telehealth claims to be eligible for Medicare rebates.

But from November 1, 2025, that exemption lifts for core MHTP items: preparation, referral to psychologists or other allied health pros, and plan reviews. Here’s the crux:

• The New Requirement: To access these telehealth services via MBS, you’ll need either:
  • A face-to-face consultation with the same GP (or their practice) in the prior 12 months, or
  • Services delivered through a MyMedicare-registered practice, which links you to a preferred provider for streamlined rebates, which also requires a prior face to face appointment with the practice.

Referrals made before November 1 will remain valid for their full course of treatment, so if you’re mid-plan, you’re covered. Focused Psychological Strategies (like specific therapy sessions) stay exempt, but the bulk of MHTP workflows will tighten up, meaning access to these via telehealth will be limited to a doctor you have seen in the last 12 months face to face or your registered MyMedicare practice. 

The government’s rationale? Promoting “higher quality care through continuous clinical relationships” by curbing purely online models that might overlook vital patient history. It’s a nod to holistic care, but as we’ll explore next, it overlooks the realities of Australia’s vast landscape.

The Equity Challenge: How This Hits Rural and Remote Aussies Hardest

Australia’s telehealth boom during the pandemic was a game-changer for mental health access, slashing wait times and bringing expert care to doorsteps (or laptops). Yet, with 7 million people in regional, rural, and remote areas, geographic isolation has long been a silent crisis. The 2025 changes, while well-intentioned, could roll back those gains—demanding travel for an in-person visit in a country where “remote” often means hours from the nearest clinic.

Consider the stats: Rural communities already face poorer mental health outcomes, with higher rates of hospitalisations, deaths from preventable causes, and injury compared to urban dwellers. Funding gaps exacerbate this—a staggering $6.55 billion annual underspend on rural health equates to about $850 less per person than in cities. Psychologist shortages are acute too: just 0.6 per 1,000 people in rural areas versus double that in metros. And GPs? A recent RACGP report found 71% citing mental health as a top patient concern, yet access remains the bottleneck.

For someone in the Outback or a far-flung island community, that mandated face-to-face trip isn’t just inconvenient—it’s a barrier laced with cost (travel, time off work), stigma (especially around mental health), and logistics (spotty public transport or childcare). Women, First Nations people, and low-income folks in these areas are hit hardest, as telehealth has been a lifeline for privacy and immediacy. This shift contradicts the MBS’s own equity rhetoric in recent updates, which tout “improved access” for all Australians. Instead, it could funnel more patients into overwhelmed urban hubs or delay care altogether, spiking waitlists already strained by post-pandemic demand.

Early chatter from groups like the Rural Health Alliance hints at pushback. One promising path forward? Targeted exemptions to redefine the “established clinical relationship” for telehealth-first care. Imagine allowing a virtual GP—like those at Teldoc—to become your “usual doctor for mental health” right from the start, provided they handle the majority of your mental health follow-ups over the next 12 months and deem it clinically safe (e.g., no red flags requiring an in-person check). This wouldn’t scrap safeguards—it’d adapt them to modern delivery, letting ongoing virtual support build that vital continuity without a mandatory trek. That’s where informed voices—like yours and ours—come in. By spotlighting these tensions, we can advocate for tweaks like this, ensuring policies amplify access, not erode it.

What Does This Mean for Your Mental Health Care?

If you’re already accessing telehealth for your MHTP, don’t panic—the transition isn’t overnight. But proactive steps now can smooth the road:

1. Check Your MyMedicare Status: Enroll in MyMedicare via your GP or the Services Australia website. You will have needed to see the doctor face to face in the last 12-24 months to enroll. It’s free, quick, and unlocks the exemption pathway. Once registered, your telehealth claims through participating practices flow seamlessly.
2. Schedule That In-Person If Needed: If MyMedicare isn’t an option, book a face-to-face with your GP soon to “reset” your 12-month clock. For rural folks, look for mobile clinics or subsidised travel schemes under programs like the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
3. Review Your Plan Timeline: Existing referrals hold until completion, so prioritise reviews before November if possible. Post-change, expect GPs to lean on general MBS items for non-plan mental health support, which will still require a prior face to face appointment. 

How Teldoc is Stepping Up to Support You

At Teldoc, we are committed to providing accessible and compassionate mental health support through telehealth. Our FRACGP-qualified, AHPRA-registered Australian doctors currently offer bulk-billed consultations over 20 minutes for mental health reviews and general support—for those with a valid concession card (Pensioner, Health Care, or DVA). This ensures no out-of-pocket costs and eliminates the need for travel: simply join a secure video or phone consultation from home, available seven days a week from 9 AM to 7 PM Sydney time.

As the Medicare changes take effect on November 1, 2025, bulk billing for these services may no longer be available. We may be unable to provide initial mental health treatment plans, but we can continue supporting private follow-ups and general appointments. Our dedication to your care remains unwavering. We will offer these services via private billing at affordable rates, including assessments, referrals, prescriptions where appropriate, and electronic paperwork delivered directly to you. Our platform is optimized for reliable connections, even in remote areas.

We have seen the positive impact of telehealth on patients facing barriers to access, such as those in rural locations or who struggle to leave home due to physical or mental challenges. These experiences drive our advocacy for policies that enhance mental health access for all. If you require support, please book a consultation today—we are here to assist.

Wrapping Up: Your Mental Health Matters—Let’s Keep It Accessible

The November MBS tweaks underscore a core truth: Mental health care thrives on connection, but it shouldn’t demand a plane ticket. While we navigate this shift toward more structured telehealth, the goal remains the same—equitable, timely support for every Australian, from Sydney suburbs to the Simpson Desert.

To make this real, we’re calling on policymakers: Build in exemptions for telehealth practitioners to establish relationships digitally, prioritising safety and sustainability. It’s a win for patients, providers, and the system—let’s champion it together. If these changes have you worried, or you’re ready to kickstart (or review) your MHTP, book a telehealth consultation with us today. It’s as simple as a few clicks, and we’re here to guide you every step. Share your thoughts in the comments—have you felt the rural access crunch? What exemptions would help you most? How can we push for better?

Stay well, The Teldoc Team

P.S. For the latest on MBS updates, check the official MBS Online site. We’re monitoring closely and will update here as needed.