Trauma psychologist calls for Federal Government to expand Medicare net for telehealth sessions

The Federal Government’s COVID-19 package announced last week expanded the Medicare mental health net for telehealth support to those in home isolation or quarantine but a trauma psychologist says the net needs to be far wider.

Brisbane trauma psychologist Dr Matt Worthington is calling for Medicare to expand coverage for online sessions and the formation of a trauma stress taskforce to deal with COVID-19. Photo supplied.

A Brisbane trauma specialist is calling for Medicare to expand to cover online sessions with psychologists fearing a surge in trauma related cases.

Dr Matt Worthington (Brisbane Counselling Centre) said he contacted Federal LNP MP for Brisbane Trevor Evans on February 24 asking for the Federal Government to provide Medicare funding for online/telehealth sessions for everyone eligible for a GP mental health plan.

Dr Worthington also tweeted this morning “Given the national situation distress is going to increase plus it is necessary to reduce social exposure to the virus.

“We now need Medicare subsidies for ALL online sessions with a psychologist.”

Currently Medicare funds in person psychology sessions or telehealth sessions for some clients including remote clients and as of last week those in home isolation or quarantined with the virus.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - MARCH 14: A trauma psychologist says images of COVID-19 panic will impact Australians as fear over the virus increases. (Photo by Ezra Acayan/Getty Images)

Dr Worthington said “since I first wrote we have seen an exponential growth of the virus – we need to have online sessions or phone sessions to support people as trauma will be through the roof,” Dr Worthington said.

“We don’t want people travelling across the city on public transport when there is no reason this can’t be done online.”

“Medicare mental health plans must be available for online sessions and not just for people with the virus or in quarantine, as announced by the Federal Government last week.”

The News contacted Mr Evans’ office.

A spokesman for Mr Evans said his office had received Mr Worthington’s letter and Mr Evans had made representations’ to the Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt on Mr Worthington’s behalf. .

Brisbane trauma specialist Dr Matt Worthington is calling on Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt to dramatically expand the scope of Medicare funding telehealth psychology sessions. (AAP Image/Erik Anderson)

Dr Worthington said the virus and its impact on community would be tough not “just on people with the virus but for everybody … the ripple effect will be huge”.

“You have people with the virus, friends and family of those people, individuals worried about work … they should all have access to a consultation with a psychologist,” he said.

Dr Worthington also called for the establishment of a specialised traumatic stress taskforce to deal with the impacts of the virus.

“People have already been through trauma in this country. There’s been fire, floods and now the virus .. Australia has been hit very hard and especially if you can’t get to see a psychologist access to free advice through specifically trained trauma specialists is so important … .a taskforce could deliver that,” he said.

“People need trauma techniques they can use at home. We need a co-ordinated response and the development of a taskforce to deal with the stress of this on families and individuals .. it’s ridiculous the impacts that trauma can have on society.”

“A response to trauma is just as important as every other response from government. It should be a priority.”

A Brisbane psychologist says the virus impacts will be felt across community not just those with the virus. (AAP Image/Joel Carrett)

Dr Worthington said “we have the technology” and to be able to provide community with access to telehealth services.

“Medicare services need to be expanded. This is a wartime situation and we need to take extraordinary measures … .there’s no reason why we can’t use the technology we have to do this,” he said.

The News has contacted the office of Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt.

DR WORTHINGTON’S CHECKLIST OF POSSIBLE COVID-19 ISSUES

Testing positive hugely distressing

Waiting for test results also distressing

Existing trauma (PTSD) / (Complex .PTSD) could be triggered

Existing medical / welfare issues will be put under strain

Being pregnant

Having a young family

Can’t see elderly relatives very stressful

Not knowing if you have enough medical supplies

Stress of job uncertainty is traumatic

Relationship issues could be magnified due to uncertainties

Parents staying at home due to social isolation causes worries about lack of funds for meds / paying bills / food

Also not knowing how long it will take to get to the peak and decrease.

Lots of uncertainty is very distressing