Assessment or management (MBS item 291 / 92435): 5 key facts for GPs

This information is for Australian GPs who refer a patient to a psychiatrist for an 'assessment or management' (MBS item 291 / 92435).

Referral to a psychiatrist

In Australia, a general practitioner (GP) can refer a patient to a psychiatrist for either:

an 'assessment or management ' (MBS item 291 / 92435) – for the GP to manage as the primary health-care provider, or
ongoing management where the patient becomes a patient of the psychiatrist.

Find a psychiatrist who offers 291 / 92435 assessments

Key facts about item 291 / 92435

1. The GP should state that the referral is for an assessment or management report (or item 291) on the referral

This is needed so that the psychiatrist understands the purpose of the visit and which Medicare item number to use for the consultation.

2. An assessment or management report can be completed in more than one appointment with the psychiatrist

Exceptionally, if the psychiatrist determines that more than one appointment is required to make an assessment, Medicare rebates are available for those appointments.

3. The psychiatrist will provide the GP with a detailed written report within 2 weeks of the appointment

The psychiatrist will provide a detailed report to the referring GP within 2 weeks of the appointment. The psychiatrist will also provide a summary of this report to the patient (or carer) as appropriate.

The report should state:

the comprehensive diagnostic assessment of the patient;
a management plan for the patient for the next 12 months that comprehensively evaluates the patient’s biopsychosocial factors and makes recommendations to the referring practitioner to manage the patient’s ongoing care in a biopsychosocial model

4. A patient is only eligible for one Medicare rebate on the opinion and report in a 12-month period, but there is a rebate for a review

There is provision for the psychiatrist to review the opinion and report previously prepared by them, within the 12-month period (MBS item 293 / 92436).