Policies

INFORMATION ABOUT YOU

Information required for administration purposes (your Client Intake Form, referral details, your doctor’s name and contact details, and referral dates) will be kept on a secure health professional diary system. This information is secure and only accessible to administration staff and psychologists at Fimmano Psychology Clinic (fpclinic).

As part of providing a psychological service, your psychologist will keep a record of the information that you provide during your sessions. This is to aid the psychologist to provide the best possible therapeutic intervention for you. As in accordance with current legislation, all records are kept on a secure health professional diary system or in a locked filling cabinet, accessible only by the psychologist. Records are kept for seven years for adult clients. Records in relation to children are kept until the child reaches a minimum age of 25 years.

CONFIDENTIALITY AND PRIVACY

The information disclosed during psychology sessions is strictly confidential and kept in accordance with current legislation and the Australian Psychological Society Code of Ethics. However, under certain circumstances, there may be exceptions to this rule where relevant and appropriate authorities may be informed. Such circumstances include:

• In the case of suspected/reported child abuse;

• Where your behaviour may present a risk of harm to self or to others;

• In case of behaviour relating to serious risk to life (such as attempting suicide);

• Where legislation requires certain criminal acts to be reported;

• In the event your records are subpoenaed by court order;

• In the event that you are reported as a missing person;

Sometimes it is necessary for your psychologist to contact various professional and individuals on your behalf. If this need arises, only information pertinent to your needs will be discussed. However, (unless the circumstance is related to those outlined in the points above) your psychologist will speak with you directly regarding this issue and will only act after you have provided written or verbal permission. In cases where you have provided the psychologist with verbal permission, the psychologist will make a note of this in your file.

CLOSED CIRCUIT TELEVISION CAMERAS

Camera surveillance operates within the premises for work-related health and safety purposes and for the investigation and prosecution of criminal offences.

Footage will only be accessed by persons authorised to do so. In the case of an incident, footage may be provided for law enforcement purposes or civil or criminal proceedings. The CCTV footage will be retained for 365 days; however, this period may be extended if an incident has occurred or where requested by authorised personnel. Information obtained from the surveillance cameras will not be given to any other person or agency unless authorised by law. For more information about the CCTV footage operating within Fimmano Psychology Clinic (fpclinic) please contact the Practice Manager, (02) 9805 0880

MEDICARE CLIENTS

Individuals may claim rebates for a maximum of ten psychology sessions per calendar year.

On receiving a Mental Health Care plan and referral from your medical practitioner, you will be entitled to claim Medicare rebates for up to six psychology sessions. If you require further sessions with your psychologist, you will need another referral from your medical practitioner, and this will entitle you to claim more Medicare rebates (up to a maximum of ten sessions per calendar year).

On completion of each treatment set, your psychologist is required to provide a written report to your referring medical practitioner. The report may contain information on any assessments completed by the client, treatment provided by the psychologist, and recommendations for future treatment. If you have any objections to these conditions, please inform your psychologist before signing this form. By signing this form, you are consenting to your psychologist communicating with your referring medical practitioner about your psychology treatment.

COMMUNICATION WITH OTHER HEALTH PROFESSIONALS

Communication between health professionals is important to ensure collaborative care. By providing a referral and signing this form, you are consenting to your psychologist to communicate with your referring medical practitioner about your psychology treatment.

After your first appointment, your psychologist will write a brief letter to your referring medical practitioner to indicate you have commenced treatment. Throughout your treatment, your psychologist may communicate with your referring medical practitioner about information on any assessments completed, case formulations, treatment provided by the psychologist, and recommendations for future treatment.

Please provide details of your referring medical practitioner and any other professionals that you consent to your psychologist contacting about your psychology treatment.

If you have any objections to these conditions, please inform your psychologist before signing this form.

Sessions

Psychology sessions are 50 minutes in length. Unfortunately, if you arrive late for your scheduled session you psychologist may not be able to continue past the original allocated duration. Most people receive psychological treatment on a weekly to fortnightly basis. It is recommended that you pre-book sessions to ensure availability.

MEDICAL, LEGAL, WORKPLACE REPORTING AND ASSESSMENT

We do not provide forensic assessments.

Under varying circumstances, some of our psychologists may provide reports or treatment summaries; however, these reports are subject to each individual psychologist's discretion. Reports and treatment summaries will incur additional fees.

PARENTS/GUARDIANS OF CHILDREN

It is the policy of Fimmano Psychology Clinic (fpclinic) that a child’s parent/guardian must remain on the premises for the duration of each of their child’s counselling sessions. By signing this form you agree to this condition.

SESSION FEES

Fimmano Psychology Clinic (fpclinic) is a private billing clinic and set fees apply. All payments must be made on the day of the consultation. Payments may be made by cash, internet transfer or EFTPOS.

STANDARD SESSIONS FEES:

• A session with a General Psychologist is $175.00 (if eligible, the Medicare rebate is $89.65)

• A session with a Clinical Psychologist is $220.00 (if eligible, the Medicare rebate is $131.65)

Medicare rebates are available, provided that patients have a valid referral and Mental Health Care plan and have not exceeded their maximum of twenty psychology sessions per calendar year. Rebates from private health funds may also be available; however, you must contact your provider to submit these claims.

WORK COVER, TAC, AND VOCAT SESSION FEES

In most cases, approved Workcover, TAC and VOCAT sessions incur a gap payment of $40.00 per session. The remaining fee is billed directly to the appropriate third party. We require a letter of approval for psychology treatment from your case-manager, or the appropriate third party, prior to the commencement of any psychological treatment.

NDIS SESSIONS

We accept clients with NDIS funding who self-manage their funds or are Plan-Managed. No out-of-pocket expenses are charged for sessions provided under the NDIS.

DEPARTMENT OF VETERINARY AFFAIRS SESSION FEES

DVA patients do not have any out-of-pocket expenses for psychology sessions. We require your DVA number and a referral letter from your GP prior to the commencement of any psychological treatment.

Fimmano Psychology Clinic (fpclinic) ) has a strict 24-hour cancellation policy. Patients must provide at least 24 hours-notice if they are unable to attend a scheduled appointment.

NON-ATTENDANCE AND LATE CANCELLATION POLICY

Fimmano Psychology Clinic (fpclinic) has a 48-hour cancellation policy.

Our psychologists set aside an hour of their time for each appointment and it is your responsibility to provide us with at least 48 hours-notice if you are unable to attend a scheduled appointment. If 24 hours-notice is not provided, you will incur the full session fee. Medicare rebates are not available for non-attendance or late cancellation fees. All fees must be paid in full before any future appointments can be scheduled.

IN THE CASE OF A CRISIS OR EMERGENCY

fpclinic is not a crisis service. In the case of an emergency call 000.

Once you have scheduled your initial appointment, we'll send you a "Client Intake Pack" via email. This pack includes vital details about confidentiality and consent. It's essential that you sign and send back this pack before your session. Failure to do so will result in the cancellation of the session, along with an administration fee.

For the convenience of our administrative resources, we only accept credit card payments.

The fee for the allocated session will be charged automatically at its conclusion.

A $100 fee will apply for appointments cancelled without 48 hours notice or missed appointments