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All about providing Focussed Psychological Strategies (FPS)

What are FPS?
What are the benefits of being a GP provider of FPS?
What are the item numbers associated with the provision of FPS by a GP?
When can I use the FPS items?
What are the requirements for becoming a registered provider of FPS?
How to register as a provider of FPS with the GPMHSC
Can I apply to the GPMHSC for an exemption from training requirements?
How to appeal a GPMHSC decision regarding FPS registration
What is required to remain compliant as a provider of FPS?
Having problems claiming Medicare FPS items?
Provision of FPS fact sheet

What are focussed psychological strategies?

Focussed psychological strategies (FPS) are specific mental health care treatment strategies, derived from evidence based psychological therapies. They have been shown to integrate the best research evidence of clinical effectiveness with general practice clinical expertise.

While FPS are derived from cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy (IPT), they are not the same as 'fully fledged' CBT or IPT. Rather, FPS consists of a range of specific strategies drawn from CBT and interpersonal therapy.

The MBS states that the following interventions are appropriate for delivery under the FPS item numbers.

• Psycho-education
• Motivational interviewing
• Cognitive-behavioural Therapy including:
• Behavioural interventions
• Behaviour modification
• Exposure techniques
• Activity scheduling
• Cognitive interventions
• Cognitive therapy
• Relaxation strategies
• Progressive muscle relaxation
• Controlled breathing
• Skills training
• Problem solving skills and training
• Anger management
• Social skills training
• Communication training
• Stress management
• Parent management training
• Interpersonal Therapy

For a description of each of the above please see - FPS description page

What are the benefits of being a GP provider of FPS?

GP providers of FPS are able to access four additional MBS Item Numbers for the provision of FPS.

What are the item numbers associated with the provision of FPS by a GP?

2721 – FPS attendance

Medical practitioner attendance (including a GP, but not including a specialist or consultant physician) associated with provision of FPS

Note: These services may only be provided by a medical practitioner who is registered with Medicare Australia as having satisfied the requirements for higher level mental health skills for the provision of the service.

Focussed psychological strategies are specific mental health care management strategies, derived from evidence based psychological therapies, that have been shown to integrate the best external evidence of clinical effectiveness with general practice clinical expertise. These strategies are required to be provided to patients by a credentialled medical practitioner and are time limited; being deliverable, in general, in up to 12 planned sessions comprising two groups of up to six sessions. In exceptional circumstances, following review by the practitioner managing either the 3 Step Mental Health Process, the GP Mental Health Treatment Plan or the Psychiatric Assessment and Management Plan, up to a further six sessions may be approved in a calendar year to an individual patient. Medical practitioners must be notified to Medicare Australia by the GPMHSC that they have met the required standards for higher level mental health skills.

A session should last for a minimum of 30 minutes.

FPS attendance

Professional attendance for the purpose of providing focussed psychological strategies (from the list included in the Explanatory Notes) for assessed mental disorders by a medical practitioner registered with Medicare Australia as meeting the credentialling requirements for provision of this service, and lasting at least 30 minutes to less than 40 minutes.

Surgery consultation

(Professional attendance at consulting rooms) Fee: $85.95 Benefit: 100% = $85.95

2723 – FPS attendance (out-of-surgery consultation)

(Professional attendance at a place other than consulting rooms)

The fee for item 2721, plus $24.05 divided by the number of patients seen, up to a maximum of six patients.

For seven or more patients, the fee for item 2721 plus $1.80 per patient.

2725 – FPS extended attendance

Professional attendance for the purpose of providing focussed psychological strategies (from the list included in the explanatory notes) for assessed mental health disorders, by a medical practitioner registered with Medicare Australia as meeting the credentialling requirements for provision of this service, and lasting at least 40 minutes.

Surgery consultation

(Professional attendance at consulting rooms) Fee: $123.00 Benefit: 100% = $123.00

2727 – FPS extended attendance (out-of-surgery consultation)

(Professional attendance at a place other than consulting rooms) The fee for item 2725, plus $24.05 divided by the number of patients seen, up to a maximum of six patients.

For seven or more patients, the fee for item 2725 plus $1.80 per patient.

For more information about these items, contact the Medicare Australia provider enquiry line on 13 21 50.

When can I use the FPS items?

FPS can be provided by a GP registered as a provider of FPS with Medicare Australia

FPS should be provided as part of an integrated GP Mental Health Treatment Plan, which may be completed by the GP providing the FPS, or by another practitioner who has referred the patient for FPS.

Up to six sessions can be provided initially, with a further six sessions available on review by the managing GP (generally the GP who developed the GP Mental Health Treatment Plan), and each session must have a minimum duration of 30 minutes.

The Medicare Benefits Schedule provides for two time bands:
30 - 40 minutes (item 2721, rebate $84.00, schedule fee $84.00)
40+ minutes (item 2725, rebate $120.25, schedule fee $120.25)

What are the requirements for becoming a provider of FPS?

Training

GPs need to successfully complete a Mental Health Skills Training (MHST) course followed by a FPS skills training course to register as a provider of FPS.

More information on the requirements

Eligibility

From 1 July 2010, GPs will be eligible to deliver FPS, even if they do not work in practices accredited by the RACGP, as long as they have completed FPS skills training.

For further information, download Becoming a registered GP provider of focussed psychological strategies.

How to register as a provider of FPS with the GPMHSC

GPs who wish to register as a provider of FPS need to apply by completing the application form below.

Applicants are required to provide supporting documentation which demonstrates completion of both a Mental Health Skills Training course and a Focussed Psychological Strategies Skills Training course, as accredited by the GPMHSC.

Applications are assessed by the GPMHSC, and eligible applicants forwarded to Medicare Australia for registration, usually within 10 days of receipt.

If you have a question about the application process please contact the GPMHSC Secretariat.

Registration form for GPs available at the bottom of the page.

Can I apply to the GPMHSC for an exemption from training requirements?

GPs are welcome to apply to the GPMHSC for an exemption from the requirement to complete a mental health skills training (MHST) and/or focussed psychological strategies skills training (FPS ST) activity, to be eligible to access mental health care Items through the Medicare Benefits Schedule.

GPs can apply for an exemption by completing the application form which is available below.

The following information outlines the criteria that applicants need to address in the application.

Presentation

• The application needs to be typed in the space provided
• Responses need to be documented on the form.
• Where additional space is required, please attach additional typed pages as necessary.

Education and training history

• Recent evidence of mental health training and continuing professional development (CPD) undertaken in the last 3 years is required. Copies of certificates of attendance need to be attached to the application.
• If you have a tertiary qualification in mental health, please attach a copy of the certificate to the application.
• If a tertiary qualification was obtained more than 5 years from the date of lodgement of this application, evidence of recent mental health training and further CPD undertaken in the last 5 years is required. Copies of certificates of attendance need to be attached to the application.

If applying for an exemption for MHST

• If applying for an exemption for MHST, you are required to demonstrate evidence of utilising skills in a general practice setting in your responses in section 5 of the application.

If applying for an exemption for FPS ST

• If applying for an exemption for FPS ST, a letter from the nominated professional referee or supervisor outlining the nature of the relationship and details of the experience and skills gained is required and needs to be attached to the application.

Please submit the completed application form to the GPMHSC Secretariat at gpmhscapplications@racgp.org.au.

Applications are forwarded to the GPMHSC for review at their next meeting. Applicants are advised of the collaboration's decision, usually within 10 days of the meeting date.

Information on how to appeal a GPMHSC decision

If you have a question about the exemption process, please contact the GPMHSC Secretariat.

How to appeal a GPMHSC decision regarding FPS registration

If a GP's request for an exemption from training has not been approved by the GPMHSC the GP can submit an appeal in writing to the GPMHSC. This appeal will be discussed at the next meeting of the GPMHSC and the GP informed of the outcome.

If a GP's request for an exemption from training has been declined twice by the GPMHSC, the GP has the option to appeal to the GPMHSC's independent appeals ombudsman . GPs will be informed of the ombudsman's decision in writing.

To submit an appeal to the GPMHSC ombudsman please apply in writing and send care of:

GPMHSC
1 Palmerston Crescent
South Melbourne Vic, 3205 

If you have a question about the appeals process please contact the GPMHSC Secretariat.

What is required to remain compliant as a provider of FPS?

Mental Health training requirements.

Having problems claiming FPS Medicare items?

The main reason that registered providers of FPS have trouble claiming the FPS items numbers is that the GP has changed practices since they initially registered as a provider of FPS.

If you have changed practices since you were registered by the GPMHSC as a provider of FPS with Medicare Australia you need to notify Medicare explaining that you have changed practices including details of your new practice(s) and your new provider number. Sign and fax the letter to 08 8274 9307.

For more information contact us.

Last Modified: 28 April 2011
Authorised By: GPMHSC