Taking time to look after your mental health and well-being as a doctor can sometimes come second to the responsibilities and demands of your profession. But your mental well-being as a health professional needs to be a top priority for the benefit of you and your patients.
If you decide to seek treatment and support for your mental health, it’s helpful to know the services available to you so they can be accessed in a timely manner and are prioritised.
How can private health cover help?
Australia’s dual public and private healthcare system provides access to a variety of services to support mental health. If you are looking to access services in an outpatient setting (that is, you’re not admitted to hospital) as a medical professional, your private health cover may be one avenue that can help to support you.
There are three key features when it comes to accessing the services of a psychologist or counsellor through your private health cover, according to Doctors’ Health Fund:
You decide when and how to access services
Private health cover provides flexible and timely access to health services, which means it can be easier to seek treatment if and when you need it.
Most health funds reset their benefit limits at the beginning of each calendar year, and you can decide when to use your limits throughout that year. Options for how you access your treatment have also expanded since the onset of COVID-19, with many health funds offering benefits for both face-to-face and tele or video health consultations.
It’s important to check with your health fund to understand what they offer and any benefit conditions, and whether these are well-suited to your needs.
You have peace of mind and choice
The choice and access that private health cover promotes can help you find what’s right for you. Some health funds, including Doctors’ Health Fund, give you greater choice by not having any preferred provider networks with extras cover. This means that you are free to choose the healthcare provider that suits you.
The medical benefits provided through private health insurance are also separate from those provided through a mental health care plan if prescribed by your GP. So you can use your extras benefits to access more subsidised services if you need them, or still claim these benefits if you don’t have a mental health care plan from your GP.
These services are independent and confidential
While your private health insurer can support you with access to routine preventative care and treatment, it leaves the care management solely between you and your healthcare provider. You can be assured knowing the care that you receive is kept confidential and any treatment details are not recorded under your health cover policy.
Caring for yourself and your health as you would your own patients is incredibly important. This includes knowing the medical services that are available to you, if and when you need them.
Doctors’ Health Fund provides health cover to members of the medical community and their families. To understand how Doctors’ Health Fund can support your health needs, view cover options or get in touch with Doctors’ Health’s expert team, visit the website doctorshealthfund.com.au.