Claiming mental health treatment with Union Health in 2025

Union Health is a not-for-profit private health insurance established to support the health and wellbeing of union members and their families. Alongside hospital cover, many members also take out Extras that help reduce the cost of a wide range of services, including mental health support.

If you’ve been on the fence about seeing a psychologist using Union Health, this guide will help offer clarity on how psychology claims work, what to look for in your policy, and how Talked can help you claim your rebate with ease.

Table of contents

• Does Union Health Extras cover online psychology?

• What exactly does Union Health cover under psychology?

• Which Union Health Extras policies include psychology?

• How much can you claim for psychology with Union Health?

• How to claim psychology sessions with Union Health?

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

• Finding Union Health-recognised psychologists

• Claiming psychology rebates made simpler with Talked

Does Union Health Extras cover online psychology?

Yes, psychology is included in Union Health Extras products, and the benefits apply to both in-person and online appointments.

Online psychology has become a popular option for people who want flexibility or who live outside major metropolitan areas. So it’s definitely a method worth considering if in-person appointments seem like a hassle to book and attend to.

What exactly does Union Health cover under psychology?

It’s best to check your policy for specific details on benefits and limits. But usually, Union Health extras support:

• Individual or group psychology session with a Medicare-registered psychologist

• Counselling session with a counsellor or a mental health social worker registered with the Australian Regional Health group

For psychology or therapy sessions, you must see an AHRPA-registered psychologist, or your claim would be denied. 

➡️ ➡️ Browse AHRPA-registered psychologists here

Which Union Health Extras policies include psychology?

Union Health offers several Extras tiers, and each tier covers different services. As per Union Health’s Extras product guides published on their website, psychology is included in all Extras cover. However, it’s still best to check your individual cover to be sure.

Read the product guide that applies to you and look for “Psychology and hypnotherapy” under the “Other services” or “Other therapies” section:

• Basic Extras

• Mid Range Extras

• Health Options Extras

• Everyday Extras

• Family Extras

• Comprehensive Extras

Note that Extras limits reset annually every 1st of January.

How much can you claim for psychology with Union Health?

Your rebate depends on the level of Extras you hold. Union Health policies can differ in several areas, including:

• How much you get back per session

• Whether your benefit is a fixed amount or a percentage

• Your annual limit per person or per family

• Whether initial consultations have a different benefit

• Whether psychology shares a combined limit with other services, such as physiotherapy or dietetics

Union Health also applies waiting periods to certain Extras categories, including psychology. If you are a new member or have recently upgraded your cover, confirm that your waiting period has finished before claiming.

Your current policy guide or member portal will give you the most accurate details.

How to claim psychology sessions with Union Health?

When you book a session with a psychologist through Talked, you will need to pay the full cost 48 hours before your appointment. After the session, Talked will provide you with an invoice with all the information Union Health requires, including:

• Your name

• Your psychologist’s name and provider number

• The date of the session

• The type of service provided

• The amount paid

Then, you can lodge your claim in a few ways and then wait for your rebate:

1. Union Health mobile app

Upload a photo or PDF of your invoice and submit your claim directly through the Union Health app.

2. Online member portal

Log in to your Union Health account, choose the claiming option, and upload your invoice.

3. Email or post

If you prefer a manual approach, you can email a completed claim form with your invoice attached to claims.enquiries@unionhealth.com.au or post it directly to Union Health’s address at 438 St Pauls Tce Fortitude Valley QLD 4006.

If you see a psychologist in person, some clinics may offer HICAPS claiming, which allows you to pay only the gap at the time of your appointment.

When should you lodge your claim?

Assuming that your membership’s waiting period has passed before you accessed a service, you can lodge a claim soon after your session. Doing this sooner rather than later helps ensure your claim is processed within the correct benefit year and that you’ll receive your rebate more quickly.

Can you claim the same session through Union Health and Medicare?

No. You cannot claim a single appointment from both Union Health and Medicare.

What you can do instead, assuming you have a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) from your GP, is to use up your Medicare-eligible sessions first, then use Union Health if you need additional sessions. Talked lets you easily switch from Medicare to Union Health (or vice versa) as a payment method without having to change your psychologist.

If you need help arranging an MHTP, Talked can connect you with a GP who can assess your eligibility.

Finding Union Health-recognised psychologists

Union Health provides rebates for psychology sessions delivered by AHPRA-registered psychologists. All psychologists on Talked meet this requirement, which makes the process simple for members.

You can explore psychologists on Talked, read their profiles, and book a session online at a time that works for you.

If you’re not sure about which psychologist to work with, you can use Talked’s free 15-minute consultations to meet different psychologists and assess later whom you feel most aligned with.

Claiming psychology rebates made simpler with Talked

Union Health Extras can make psychological support more accessible and more affordable. Talked makes the process straightforward by connecting you with approved psychologists and an invoice with all the details needed for claiming. You can lodge your claim through the Union Health app or portal in just a few minutes.

If you're ready to begin, explore the psychologists available on Talked and book a session that suits your schedule.

Not with Union 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, GU Health, Teachers Health, UniHealth, Nurses & Midwives Health, and many more private health insurers.