Mental Health Nurse Incentive Program

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A program to enable psychiatrists and general practitioners to engage mental health nurses

The Mental Health Nurse Incentive Program (MHNIP) funds community based general practices, private psychiatric practices and other appropriate organisations to engage mental health nurses to assist in the provision of coordinated clinical care for people with severe mental health disorders.

Mental health nurses work in collaboration with psychiatrists and general practitioners to provide services such as monitoring a patient’s mental state, medication management and improving links to other health professionals and clinical service providers. These services are provided in a range of settings, such as clinics or patient’s homes and are provided at little or no cost to the patient.

Support provided under this initiative targets patients with severe mental health disorders during periods of significant disability. A patient should exit the MHNIP when he or she does not require the level of support as outlined.

Eligibility

Organisation eligibility

Eligible organisations must be community based and have the services of a general practitioner with a Medicare Australia provider number or a psychiatrist registered with Medicare Australia.

Eligible organisations may include:

  • general practices
  • private psychiatry practices and
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care Services funded by the Australian Government through the Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health.

In addition, Divisions of General Practice can contract the services of mental health nurses to work with general practitioners with a Medicare Australia provider number or other medical officers (as approved by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing) working within their Division.

Pilot program

The Department of Health and Ageing (DoHA) is currently undertaking a pilot project to test the viability of private hospitals to be included.

Mental health nurse eligibility

Until 31 December 2009, eligible organisations can engage or retain either:

  • mental health nurses currently credentialed with the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses (ACMHN) and/or
  • registered nurses with current registration who have obtained, or are working towards obtaining, specialist qualifications in mental health (such as a Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing or a Masters in Mental Health Nursing) and have three years recent experience in mental health nursing.

From 31 December 2009, eligible organisations can only access payments through this program if they engage or retain the services of a mental health nurse currently credentialed with the ACMHN.

Should a nurse not be credentialed by 31 December 2009, the practice will not be able to claim reimbursement of sessions undertaken by the mental health nurse after this date.

Health of the Nation Outcomes Scale (HoNOS) training

As a part of the eligibility requirements, mental health nurses must be trained in the use of the Health of the Nation Outcomes Scale (HoNOS). The most comprehensive site outlining the HoNOS measurement tool is that of the Royal College of Psychiatry (UK).External link

Further detail on eligibility requirements for mental health nurses and patients, can be found in the MHNIP program guidelines below.

Payments

Establishment payments

The Establishment payment is a one off payment designed to assist with an organisations’ upfront costs associated with the MHNIP, such as mental health nurse recruitment, training, accommodation, travel and equipment costs.

A $10,000 GST free Establishment payment will be paid to organisations who engage a mental health nurse for between five and ten sessions per week over a six month period,from receipt of approved evidence.

A $5000 GST free Establishment payment will be paid to organisations who engage a mental health nurse for between one and four sessions per week over a six month period, from receipt of approved evidence.

All eligible organisations can apply for the one off payment by submitting the Establishment payment application form below and the required evidence, once they been successfully registered with the MHNIP (see Applying for the Mental Health Nurse Incentive Program below).

Claim incentive payments

The rate of $240 (GST free) per session will be applied to all claims. This figure is inclusive of all mental health nurse salary and on-costs, including personal and recreation leave.

Payment dates
From 1 July 2007-30 June 2008 program payments will be made quarterly through Medicare Australia.

For the purposes of this program, calendar quarters are as follows:

  • 1 July to 30 September
  • 1 October to 31 December
  • 1 January to 31 March
  • 1 April to 30 June.

Medicare Australia will make payments to organisations within 28 calendar days of the end of each quarter. Payments will reflect the number of sessions detailed in the claim form, though this will be capped at a maximum of 10 sessions a nurse per week.

More regular payments from July 2008

Commencing July 2008, incentive payments under the MHNIP will be made monthly by Medicare Australia.

This means that claims received during a particular month (starting with July 2008) will be paid by the end of the following month (starting with 31 August 2008).

Applying for the Mental Health Nurse Incentive Program

Registration

Organisations who believe they meet the eligibility requirements, and wish to apply for the MHNIP must register by submitting a MHNIP registration form.

The completed form must be signed by the authorised contact person for the organisation and returned to:

Mental Health Nurse Incentive Program
GPO Box 2572
Adelaide SA 5001
Fax: 1300 581 573

Applications are assessed by Medicare Australia. If necessary, Medicare Australia may contact the eligible organisation for additional information. Eligible organisations will be advised in writing of the outcome of the assessment process.

Please note that incomplete application forms usually result in a delay to the approval process.

Organisations will be notified by Medicare Australia of the receipt of their application within 21 calendar days.

MHNIP documents

Quarterly News Updates

Links

Some documents on this page may require the free Adobe PDF reader.

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