How to claim therapy costs on private health insurance in 2025
Updated for relevancy in 2025
Almost all private health funds include mental health services in their policy extras, so it's important to check your policy to ensure it's included in your cover. You can often check this by visiting their website or giving them a call.
Once you've confirmed it is, then you can book either a counsellor, social worker, psychotherapist or psychologist as long as they are an approved provider. For a therapist to become an approved provider they must meet specific criteria set out by your health fund, which often includes specifics around qualifications and experience. This ensures that you are booking a pre-vetted and qualified mental health practitioner.
Many people opt to book with a counsellor or psychotherapist as the wait times can be a lot shorter than psychologists, who are in high demand due to the Medicare rebates. If you are unsure of the difference between the two types of therapists, then take a look at our helpful article that explains the differences between each.
Please note that unfortunately, in 2025, many private health insurance companies do not allow you to claim both the Medicare rebate and private health insurance. In most instances, if you have access to the Medicare rebate, utilising these rebates first means that there is often a lower out-of-pocket cost for you. You can learn more about the Medicare process on our dedicated Medicare page.
We've made it easy for you to find and book a therapist that is already approved for your specific health fund. Simply select your insurance provider below to see the available therapists.
Select your private health insurer:
How to claim your rebate
After booking a psychology session with an approved therapist, payment will be charged 48 hours prior to your confirmed appointment. Talked will then send you an invoice tailored to meet your health insurer’s requirements, which you can submit to your private health insurer (either through their website, mobile app, or email) to claim your eligible rebate.
Claim your Medicare rebate
The process of accessing the Medicare rebate requires Australian citizens or permanent residents to first obtain a Mental Health Treatment Plan (also called a Mental Health Care Plan) from their GP. If your regular GP is not available, you can book in a consultation with our bulk billed GP and to obtain your Medicare rebated MHTP.
Once this MHTP has been obtained, you can then book an online Medicare psychologist, and upload the MHTP to your Talked profile. Talked will then automatically process your Medicare rebate. Medicare will then pay the rebate into the bank account connected to your Medicare account. Learn more about the Medicare process here.
Claim your Bupa rebate
We know claiming your Bupa rebate is difficult so we have prepared a guide to Bupa claims. We have made it easy to claim your Bupa rebate for mental health services and easy to see your Bupa approved therapist.
Claim your Medibank rebate
Our guide to Medibank rebates means you can claim your Medibank rebate easily with Talked. Take the difficulty out of finding a Medibank approved therapist and maximise your Medibank Extras cover today.
Claim your ahm rebate
If you're with ahm, our ahm guide makes it clear how to maximise your health insurance benefits cover. Easily find an ahm approved therapist and claim your rebate today.
Claim your Police Health rebate
Claiming your mental health extras from Police Health is easy with our Police Health guide. Maximise your health insurance benefits today and easily find a Police Health approved therapist and claim your rebate today.
Claim your CUA Health rebate
If you have CUA Health insurance, we have a guide to claiming mental health claims from CUA Health. Using our guide you can find a CUA Health approved therapist today.
Claim your Doctors Health Fund rebate
If you have insurance with Doctors Health Fund, we have a guide to claiming mental health claims from Doctors Health Fund. Using our guide you can find a Doctors Health Fund approved therapist.
Claim your Australian Unity rebate
We understand that claiming your Australian Unity rebate can be challenging, so we've crafted a guide specifically for Australian Unity claims. We've simplified the process for you to claim your rebate for mental health services and to consult with an Australian Unity-approved psychologist.
Claim your CBHS Health rebate
Because we understand the complexities of claiming your CBHS Health rebate, we've crafted a straightforward guide for CBHS Health claims. Our approach simplifies the process of claiming your CBHS Health rebate for mental health services and ensures seamless access to a CBHS Health psychologist.
Claim your GMHBA rebate
Our GMHBA guide makes claiming your mental health extras straightforward. Take advantage of your health insurance benefits now by finding a GMHBA psychologist and claim your rebate with ease.
Claim your nib rebate
If you're insured with nib, we offer a comprehensive guide on submitting mental health claims with nib. Use our guide to understand the ins and outs of finding a nib psychologist conveniently.
Claim your HBF rebate
If you're insured with HBF, we've prepared a guide to help you with submitting mental health claims through HBF. By using our guide, you can effortlessly locate a psychologist or clinical psychologist approved by HBF.
Claim your HCF rebate
If you have private health insurance with HCF, our guide can help you with submitting claims for mental health sessions with a HCF psychologist or counsellor. By using our guide, you can effortlessly locate a psychologist or clinical psychologist approved by HBF.
Conclusion
Claiming mental health rebates from your private health insurance is sometimes difficult and time-consuming. Talked makes claiming the cost of therapy from private health cover easy.
Essential Reading
Free Mental Health Tests
Frequently Asked Questions
Most extras policies cover therapy with registered psychologists, counsellors, and social workers. What’s covered depends on your insurer and policy, so it’s best to check the details directly with your insurance provider.
You need to submit your paid session invoice to your insurance provider, either through their online portal, app, or email. If your session is booked on Talked, Talked will provide this invoice for you, complete with all the details that your insurer requires.
No, you can’t claim the same therapy session under both Medicare and private insurance. However, you can use Medicare for some sessions and private health for others, especially when you've reached your Medicare session limit for the year.
No, a referral is not typically required to claim therapy through private health insurance. Unlike Medicare, which requires a Mental Health Treatment Plan, private insurance lets you see a therapist directly as long as your chosen therapist is approved by your health fund.
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