Claiming mental health treatment with Defence Health

Defence Health is an Australian not-for-profit health insurer created for the Defence community, including current and former ADF members, Defence contractors, and their families. It offers a range of hospital and extras cover options, with many extras policies including benefits for psychology and other mental health services.

If you have extras cover with Defence Health, you may be able to claim rebates for eligible psychology services and reduce your out-of-pocket costs. Depending on your policy, this may include both in-person and online therapy appointments with recognised providers.

This guide explains how Defence Health mental health cover works in 2026, what you may be able to claim, and what to check before booking your first appointment.

Table of contents

• Does Defence Health insurance cover online psychology?

• How to claim psychology sessions with Defence Health insurance?

• When should you lodge your claim?

• Can you claim the same session through both Defence Health and Medicare?

• How to find a Defence Health-recognised mental health professional?

• Nurture your mental health with Defence Health and Talked

Does Defence Health insurance cover online psychology?

Yes, Defence Health includes psychology benefits across several extras policies, although the rebate amount and annual limits vary depending on your level of cover.

According to Defence Health’s Extras product guides, mental health-related benefits may include:

• psychology consultations

• group psychology sessions

• family or couples therapy with eligible psychologists

• some occupational therapy services

Defence Health outlines these benefits in its official product guides and cover summaries, including, among others, their ADF Total Package Gold cover, Top Extras, and Values Extras. Note that the benefits and limits can change over time, so always check your current policy documents or member account for the latest details.

Depending on the policy, Defence Health may pay benefits towards initial psychology consultations, follow-up psychology appointments, group therapy, and couples or family sessions. Some policies also include higher benefit amounts for the first consultation compared with standard follow-up sessions.

It's important to note that Defence Health only honours sessions with registered psychologists. Thankfully, it’s easy to find psychologists you can trust here on Talked.

How to claim psychology sessions with Defence Health insurance?

Claiming psychology sessions through Defence Health is usually a fairly simple process, especially if your therapist offers electronic claiming services. There are several ways members can submit extras claims, including through on-the-spot claiming using the Defence Health terminal, Express Claim, and manual claim via email, fax, or post. You can learn more here.

The Deference Health Mobile Claiming app is a convenient route. Simply download the app from Google Play or the App Store, log in using your member details, then lodge your claim. Claim processing usually takes5-7 days but you can expect your claim to arrive within 1-2 business days post-processing.

When should you lodge your claim?

It’s usually best to lodge your psychology claim as soon as possible after your appointment. Submitting claims promptly can help you keep track of your remaining extras limits, avoid missing paperwork, and reduce delays in receiving your rebate.

If your psychologist offers HICAPS or another on-the-spot claiming system, your rebate may be processed immediately during your appointment. Otherwise, you can submit your receipt later through the Defence Health app or Online Member Services.

Defence Health states that extras claims generally need to be submitted within two years of the treatment date. However, waiting too long can make the process more complicated, especially if receipts are misplaced or your policy details change over time.

Can you claim the same session through both St. Lukes and Medicare?

No. You generally cannot claim the same psychology appointment through both Medicare and Defence Health extras cover. This rule applies across Australian private health insurers and helps prevent members from receiving two rebates for the same service.

However, many Australians use both Medicare and private health insurance at different stages of their mental health care to help manage costs over time. For example, you may choose to:

• Start with Medicare-funded psychology sessions through a Mental Health Treatment Plan

• Use your Defence Health extras benefits once your Medicare sessions have been exhausted

• Use extras cover for services that may not be eligible under Medicare

To access Medicare rebates for psychology sessions, you’ll usually need a referral and Mental Health Treatment Plan from a GP. If you’re unsure where to begin, Talked can also help connect you with a GP to discuss a Mental Health Treatment Plan and suitable therapy options.

How to find a Defence Health-recognised mental health professional?

Defence Health allows members to choose their own mental health provider, provided the practitioner meets the insurer’s eligibility and registration requirements. In most cases, this means that your psychologist must be registered with AHPRA and that they can provide an appropriate provider number which will be indicated in your claim.

Talked also simplifies the process for you. Simply use the Defence Health filter in browsing Talked psychologists, then choose someone who feels like the right fit. After your session, Talked will provide you with an invoice with all the details that Defence Health requires.

Nurture your mental health with Defence Health and Talked

Finding a therapist is one part of the process. Understanding how to claim your sessions through Defence Health is another. Talked helps simplify both.

When you book with a psychologist through Talked, you’ll receive an itemised invoice after each appointment with the information typically required for private health insurance claims, including:

• provider details and registration information

• the patient’s name

• appointment date

• treatment description

• total session cost

You can then use these documents to submit a claim through the Defence Health app or member portal. Whether you’re looking for support with anxiety, stress, burnout, relationships, grief, or everyday mental wellbeing, Talked makes it easier to connect with qualified therapists and navigate the claiming process with confidence.

Not with Defence Health? Don't worry, we have your back. After you see your therapist, claim your mental health rebate from Bupa, ahm, Medibank, Police Health, CUA Health, Doctors Health, nib, HBF, HCF, CBHS Health, Australian Unity, GMHBA, Westfund, Peoplecare, St. Luke's, GU Health, Union Health, Phoenix Health, Teachers Health, UniHealth, Nurses & Midwives Health, and many more private health insurers.