Policy
The TAC can pay the reasonable costs of family counselling under section 60(2A) of the Transport Accident Act 1986 (the Act), for any member of the immediate family of the person who dies or who is severely injured in a transport accident. The total amount that TAC can pay for family counselling on a claim cannot exceed a maximum amount of $16,160 (as of 1 July 2017).
Please note, family counselling is paid as part of the claim of the person who dies or is severely injured as a result of the transport accident. A person who receives family counselling therefore does not have a claim for compensation with the TAC in their own right. In certain circumstances, if a person is diagnosed with a mental or physical injury as a result of a transport accident, they may be eligible to make a claim for compensation for their own personal injury. Specific time-limits apply regarding lodgement of a separate claim for compensation. Refer to the Making a Claim for Compensation policy and the Eligibility for Benefits policy.
Definitions
In this policy:
- Family counselling refers to the provision of counselling for family members of a client who dies or who is severely injured as a result of a transport accident.
- Family member refers to any member of the immediate family, i.e. partner, parent, sibling or child of the person who dies or is severely injured as a result of a transport accident.
Note: a parent of a dependent child includes:- a person who has day-to-day care and control of the child and with whom the child is normally resident;
- a guardian of the child.
- Severely injured refers to suffering a severe injury as defined in the Transport Accident Act 1986.
- the family counselling allowance is the maximum amount the TAC can pay for family counselling. It is set out in the Act and is indexed annually. The Family Counselling Allowance applies per claim regardless of how many eligible family members access this service. The applicable amount for each claim is dependent on when a family member first accessed the service
Guidelines
What can the TAC pay for in relation to family counselling?
The TAC can pay the reasonable costs of family counselling up to the applicable family counselling allowance, when required for a family member of a person who is severely injured or dies in a transport accident.
From 20 November 2013, all eligible claims will be able to access an increased family counselling allowance of $15,000. The increased allowance includes any amounts previously used.
For new claims made after 1 July 2015 the allowance will be $15,630, claims made after 1 July 2016 will have an allowance of $15,920 and claims made after 1 July 2017 will have an allowance of $16,160.
Please note that the TAC cannot pay for:
- private travel costs incurred by the family counselling provider in the event where the services are performed out of rooms
- travel costs incurred by a client's family members to travel to the destination where the family counselling services will be undertaken
- reports/assessments in relation to family counselling as these are not required by the TAC.
Who may provide family counselling?
Family counselling can be provided by a:
- medical practitioner
- psychologist
- qualified social worker who is eligible for full membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers.
What fees are payable for family counselling?
Consultations are paid in accordance with the relevant fee schedule for the treating provider. Refer to the Medical Practitioner, Psychology or Social Work fee schedule.
In relation to family counselling services what will the TAC not pay for?
The TAC will not pay for:
- medications prescribed by the family counselling provider
- family counselling, where the cost of treatment is incurred in the hospital bed fee
- fees associated with non-attendance
- the cost of telephone calls and telephone consultations between providers and clients, and between other providers, including hospitals
- treatment or services provided by medical practitioners or psychologists who are not registered under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law or are registered as students under that Law
- treatment or services provided to the family member outside the Commonwealth of Australia
- treatment or services provided more than 2 years prior to the request for funding except where the request for payment is made within 3 years of the transport accident. Refer to the Time Limit to Apply for the Payment of Medical and Like Expenses policy.
Family Counselling fees
Consultations for family counselling are paid in accordance with the relevant fee schedule for the treating provider.
Refer to the Medical Practitioner, Psychology or Social Work fee schedule below.
Medical Services Reimbursement Rates
The TAC has adopted the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) items, explanations, definitions, rules and conditions for services provided by medical practitioners. When invoicing for medical services, medical practitioners are expected to adhere to the MBS rules unless otherwise specified by the TAC in the Reimbursement Rates for Medical Services booklet or its medical policies.
The Reimbursement Rates for Medical Services booklet below must be read in conjunction with:
- Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS)
- Clarification of Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) rules
- The TAC invoicing guidelines for medical practitioners PDF, 0.07MB
- The TAC's medical practitioner policy
- Other policies outlined within the Medical Practitioners section of our website
Current Rates
Please note: There was an error in the fees payable for A23 item numbers 5223, 5227, 5228, 5260, 5263, 5265 and the multiple patient step-downs. If you have accessed these fee schedules prior to 5 July 2017, you will need to download these updated schedules and correct your systems.
- Reimbursement Rates for Medical Services performed on or after 1 July 2017 XLSX, 0.16MB
- Reimbursement Rates for Medical Services performed on or after 1 July 2017 PDF, 1.42MB
Previous Rates
- Reimbursement Rates for Medical Services performed between 1 July 2016 and 30 June 2017 XLSX, 0.14MB
- Reimbursement Rates for Medical Services performed between 1 July 2016 and 30 June 2017 PDF, 1.44MB
- Reimbursement Rates for Medical Services performed between 1 July 2015 and 30 June 2016 PDF, 1.42MB
- Reimbursement Rates for Medical Services performed between 1 July 2015 and 30 June 2016 XLSX, 0.21MB
- Reimbursement Rates for Medical Services performed between 1 July 2014 and 30 June 2015 PDF, 1.46MB
- Reimbursement Rates for Medical Services performed between 1 July 2014 and 30 June 2015 (Includes 1 November 2014 MBS updates) XLSX, 0.19MB
At the time of production this publication contained up to date information as released by Medicare Australia (Medicare). The relevant publication will be updated to reflect any further changes that are implemented by Medicare each year. Please check our website for the latest version.
If you have any questions about these publications or the reimbursement rates, please contact the TAC on 1300 654 329. Alternatively, e-mail info@tac.vic.gov.au.
Psychology Services
Effective 1 July 2017
| Registered for GST | Not Registered for GST | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service Description | TAC Item Number | 2017/18 Maximum Payment Rate | 2016/17 Maximum Payment Rate | TAC Item Number | 2017/18 Maximum Payment Rate | 2016/17 Maximum Payment Rate |
| Hourly Rate Pro rata in units of 15 minutes to a maximum of one hour. Any consultations greater than one hour will require pre-approval from TAC. | 90000 | $159.31 | $156.99 | |||
| Group Rate (per person, up to 10 persons) | 90007 | $41.09 | $40.49 | |||
| Family Counselling (To a maximum of $15,000) | 90001 | $159.31 | $156.99 | |||
| Travelling for treatment (prior approval required). Pro-Rata rates in units of 15 minutes apply. | 90010 | $159.31 | $156.99 | |||
| Travel time claimed in association to an assessment of a client which is carried out at TAC's request. Pro-rata rates in units of 15 minutes apply. | 90011* | $175.34 | $172.78 | 9GF011 | $159.39 | $157.07 |
| Psychologist Standard Report | TSP010* | $263.00 | $259.16 | |||
| Mental Health (Psychology) Treatment Plan | 90050* | $131.49 | $129.57 | 9GF050 | $119.54 | $117.80 |
| Mental Health (Neuropsychology) Treatment Plan | 90060* | $175.34 | $172.78 | 9GF060 | $159.39 | $157.07 |
| Mental Health (Psychology) Treatment Review | 90055* | $131.49 | $129.57 | 9GF055 | $119.54 | $117.80 |
| Mental Health (Neuropsychology) Treatment Review | 90065* | $131.49 | $129.57 | 9GF065 | $119.54 | $117.80 |
| Mental Health (e-Therapy) This Way Up Clinic package | 90070 | $57.67 | $56.83 | N/A | ||
Fees for psychology services performed within a public hospital will be based on the Department of Human Services schedule of fees and charges for acute health services in Victoria. Refer to www.health.vic.gov.au/feesman.
For information about our invoicing requirements, please see How to invoice the TAC.
GST
*The TAC maximum fee includes a 10% allowance for GST for items which TAC believes are taxable supplies. If you are a provider not registered for GST:
- You are not legally permitted to charge GST
- You should indicate on all invoices submitted your status as 'not registered for GST purposes'
- The TAC will only reimburse you an amount which excludes the GST component for items billed where the maximum fee includes a 10% allowance for GST
If you are not registered for GST please state on all invoices the TAC item number listed for providers not registered.
Social Work Services
Effective 1 July 2017
| Registered for GST | Not Registered for GST | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service Description | TAC Item Number | 2017/18 Maximum Payment Rate | 2016/17 Maximum Payment Rate | TAC Item Number | 2017/18 Maximum Payment Rate | 2016/17 Maximum Payment Rate |
| Individual Treatment | ||||||
| Initial Consultation | SW600 | $58.15 | $57.30 | |||
| Standard Consultation: up to 30 minutes | SW602 | $46.53 | $45.85 | |||
| Long Consultation: > 30 minutes < 45 minutes | SW604 | $69.54 | $68.53 | |||
| Prolonged Consultation: > 45 minutes < 60 minutes | SW606 | $92.93 | $91.57 | |||
| Group Consultation: up to 30 minutes | ||||||
| Group Treatment | ||||||
| Group Consultation (per person) | SW602G | $27.99 | $27.58 | |||
| Travel (with prior approval) | SW630 | $92.93 | $91.57 | |||
| All travel is to be separately billed in blocks of 15 minutes. | ||||||
| Reports | ||||||
| Report When submitting an account for payment, details of the time taken to complete the report must be recorded on the account. | SW640* | $102.22 | $100.73 | SW640F | $92.93 | $91.57 |
| Travel claimed in relation to providing a report for management-type services such as reviews undertaken at the TAC's specific request, will incur a GST on the applicable TAC maximum fee. | SW641* | $102.22 | $100.73 | SW641F | $92.93 | $91.57 |
| Travel time can be claimed only for travel to and from the practitioner's practice address and the TAC client's residence. Where more than one client is visited in a single travel period, total travel costs should be apportioned equally between those clients to whom services have been provided. | ||||||
Fees for social work services performed within a public hospital will be based on the Department of Human Services schedule of fees and charges for acute health services in Victoria. Refer to www.health.vic.gov.au/feesman.
GST
*The TAC maximum fee includes a 10% allowance for GST for items which TAC believes are taxable supplies. If you are a provider not registered for GST:
- You are not legally permitted to charge GST
- You should indicate on all invoices submitted your status as 'not registered for GST purposes'
- The TAC will only reimburse you an amount which excludes the GST component for items billed where the maximum fee includes a 10% allowance for GST
If you are not registered for GST please state on all invoices the TAC item number listed for providers not registered.
View Support when a person dies
Support when a person dies
This brochure is helpful for people whose loved one has died in a transport accident in explaining what benefits and services the TAC can provide, including payment of burial or cremation costs and income support.