What does the government really know about Autism.....!

What does the government really know about Autism.....!

This is the latest information that has come through from Minds and Hearts about the current proposed changes to the Medicare rebates to HELP..... 

those on the Autistic Spectrum.

As you may already be aware, due to the new Federal Government budget this year, a change has been made to the allowances possible for Medicare rebates under the Better Outcomes in Mental Health initiative. These changes are due on November 1st. They may affect your plans for therapy at Minds and Hearts over the coming months.

Currently, with the approval of your GP, you may access rebates for up to 18 individual therapy sessions per calendar year per family member with a mental health care plan.

Under the new plans, with the approval of your GP, you may access rebates for up to 10 individual therapy sessions per calendar year per family member with a mental health care plan. As before, there is a need to revisit your GP following the 6th therapy session, should more sessions be required.

As you may also be aware, like many in the helping professions, we are unhappy with this change and have been doing what we can to encourage the government to reinstate the 18 sessions per calendar year. There is no indication that we will be successful, thus we are planning on the change occurring.

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Unfortunately as we had anticipated, from November 1st this year there will be changes to the Medicare rebates under the Better Outcomes in Mental Health initiative. These changes will mean that a maximum of 10 individual sessions and 10 group sessions can be rebated each year. Since my last email to you we have been advised that if an individual has already used his/her Mental Health Care Plan for 10 individual sessions or 10 group sessions this year, then no more sessions will attract rebates beyond 1 November 2011 for this year. Clients are able to apply for 10 further individual sessions and 10 further group sessions for 2012 from January 1st. If these changes will affect your family I encourage you to discuss options for payment for the remaining sessions for this year with your therapist to work out a good plan.

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Please excuse my sarcasm here.... but  wasn't it our Government who proposed billions in helping the Mental Health initiative in Australia this year?  Why call it the Better Outcomes in Mental Health initiative, when clearly you are NOT better off?  Isn't it Australia.... which is fondly referred to as the "lucky country?"... no wonder why so many are forced to migrate aboard to access the services their families deserve.

For my family this means;

My eldest son's monthly appointments with his Psychologist will now be cut, as I have no idea of how to fund the extra appointments while receiving a Disability pension. Also as each FAMILY is only allowed 10 rebated visits per year.... my youngest will now not be entitled to any rebated appointments. He is the one with the greater need, but how is a parent expected to choose between her children who deserves the therapy and who doesn't. Let's not forget each therapy session costs $200.00. I feel for those families who have more than two children on the Autistic Spectrum.

Could it be that our AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT has a inability to connect and communicate with the people who it is there to serve?  

Sounds a little like Autism.... a communication defect, doesn't it!

When planning these great schemes I wonder if the so called experts in decision making sit around in plush board rooms, fully understanding the ramifications of their choices. 

"Let's make life just that little bit more difficult for those who suffer from a condition that is through no fault of there own. Let's increase the number of people untreated for Mental Health issues in Australia, as they cannot access the services needed." That is surely a positive step forward.... NOT!

On my part.... it is infuriating that some of us rise up and take a stand encouraging and advocating people to seek help.... reassuring that they will have a better quality of life if they do.... only to be jilted by politics!

This dream of fairness, freedom, acceptance, and rights maybe so.... but....

just not in AUSTRALIA!

Well done Australian Politicians... you have just sentenced those on the Autistic Spectrum

to a lifetime of entrapment.

With these new changes coming into place....one thing is for certain....