Bulk Billed Couples Counselling: What You Need to Know

What is bulk billing?

Bulk billing is a payment option that allows healthcare providers to accept the Medicare benefit as full payment for the services they provide. This means no out-of-pocket or gap fees will be incurred. The healthcare provider receives the full amount of the Medicare rebate for the services provided. This payment option is essential for those experiencing financial hardship.

Why is couples counselling not covered under bulk billing?

Despite the many benefits of bulk billing, couples counselling is not covered under this payment option. The reason for this is that relationship difficulties have not been classified as a mental disorder, and there is no specific Medicare billing item that covers relationship difficulties. Unfortunately, this may require you and your partner to pay full fee for couples counselling. An alternate option is if you have private health insurance. Check with your insurer if couples counselling is included.

Do my partner and I need couples counselling?

Couples counselling can be beneficial for couples who are experiencing relationship problems. It’s important to consider any signs you see early on and carefully.

Reach out to us at Chat Corner Psychologists if you would like to discuss any of the following:

Communication problems – Working out communication difficulties through couples counselling can instil effective communication skills and improve how you convey your feelings and thoughts to your partner.

Lack of intimacy – A lack of intimacy in the relationship could signal an underlying issue that needs to be addressed. Couples counselling can help you identify the root cause of the problem and work together to improve intimacy.

Trust issues – The cornerstone of any relationship is trust. A lack of trust within a relationship can cause challenges such as working together towards building a strong relationship. A psychologist can help you rebuild trust and work towards a healthier relationship.

Constant arguing – If you and your partner are constantly arguing and unable to resolve conflicts, it may be time to seek professional help. A therapist can teach you and your partner effective conflict resolution skills. This may involve gaining tools to improve communication skills and being empathetic of each other’s perspectives.

Infidelity – Infidelity can cause a significant amount of emotional pain and trauma in a relationship. To resolve situations where unfaithfulness has occured, couples counselling can provide a safe space to explore the impact of the infidelity and work towards healing and rebuilding trust.

Parenting disagreements – The experience of parenting can be a challenging and stressful experience. Disagreements can arise between partners on how to raise children. Using couples counselling as time to collaborate on parenting strategies, resolving conflict, and improve communication within the parenting journey.

Financial difficulties – Financial stress can put a significant strain on a relationship. Couples counselling provides the opportunity to create a supportive space for you and your partner to explore the impact of financial stress. Utilising this supportive space may help you and your partner work towards a practical solutions to improve a troubled financial situation.

In conclusion, while bulk billed couples counselling is not an option, it is important to consider seeking professional help if you and your partner are struggling. By identifying the signs of relationship difficulties and seeking professional support, you can work towards improving your relationship and achieving a healthier and happier partnership. Talk to us today.