The Minister for Health has announced that Australians with eating disorders can now access psychological and dietetic services through Medicare.
The Minister, Greg Hunt said the new services would support eligible people with anorexia nervosa, bulimia and other complex eating disorders to access up to 40 psychological services and 20 dietetic services, under the care of their GP or specialist.
“The items represent a historic advance in the quality and affordability of care provided to those facing the devastating challenge of an eating disorder, enabling those affected, their families and their carers, to get the support they desperately need and deserve,” Mr Hunt said.
“Under the changes, health practitioners will be better able to deliver a full course of treatment as their patients will have one comprehensive care plan and be able to claim the services through Medicare.”
He said an estimated 900,000 people in Australia were living with an eating disorder.
“These disorders affect not only the patient, but also their families and loved ones, and have one of the highest mortality rates of any psychiatric illness,” Mr Hunt said.
He said he had asked the expert clinician-led Medical Benefits Schedule Review Taskforce to provide advice on how the schedule could be improved to assist patients with eating disorders.
“The items were developed by the Taskforce through extensive consultation and design of accreditation standards with experts from across the sector. They support a model of best practice, evidence-based care for patients and encourage a multidisciplinary approach involving a range of clinical expertise,” the Minister said.
