Alicia Merlino offers in-person, online, and walking appointments at a rate of $280 for a 50-minute session. The full fee is paid on the day of the appointment, and any Medicare rebate will be returned to your nominated bank account within 1-2 business days.

Alicia’s fees are currently set lower than the Australian Psychological Society’s recommended fee for standard consultations.

Some third-party services, including Medicare, Private Health Insurance, and the Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA), may provide a partial rebate for therapy appointments.

You do not need a referral to attend appointments; however, if you are seeking a rebate, please read the additional information listed below.

Payments are processed online using a stored credit card provided during the intake process.

If you would prefer to pay in cash, this will need to be discussed with Alicia prior to attending any appointments.

Alicia Merlino understands that life can be busy, and sometimes you may need to cancel or reschedule your appointment. While Alicia aims to be flexible, late cancellations prevent others from accessing that appointment time. If you need to cancel or reschedule, please provide at least 48 hours' notice.

For cancellations made with less than 48 hours' notice but more than 24 hours, 50% of the full fee ($140) will be charged.

Cancellations within 24 hours of your appointment will incur the full session fee ($280).

If you do not show up to your session and fail to cancel, the full session fee will also apply. Please note, cancellation fees cannot be claimed through Medicare or Private Health Insurance.

To help you avoid a late cancellation fee, Alicia will send an appointment reminder email three days before your scheduled session.

Alicia Merlino offers therapy under the Medicare Better Access Program. Your GP, Paediatrician, or Psychiatrist can assess if you are eligible for a Mental Health Care Plan.

To claim a Medicare rebate for your session, you’ll need a referral letter and a Mental Health Care Plan from your GP. The rebate for a standard 50-minute session is $96.65.

You are eligible for rebates on the first six sessions. After that, your GP will review your progress and may approve an additional four sessions with rebates.

Please bring your referral letter and Mental Health Care Plan to your first appointment. If you have any questions, Alicia will be happy to assist during your session.

For more information on Medicare rebates, visit:

Better Access Initiative

https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/better-access-initiative

Medicare Rebates for Psychological Services

https://psychology.org.au/psychology/medicare-rebates-psychological-services?Redirected=true

If you have a chronic medical condition, your GP might provide you with a Chronic Disease Management Plan. This plan will provide rebates for up to five psychology sessions per calendar year.

You will receive a rebate of $60.35 per session rebate with this referral. You will need to talk to your GP to see if you are eligible for this plan.

Individuals with an eating disorder may be eligible for Medicare rebates through an Eating Disorder Plan. This plan provides funding for up to 40 psychological treatment sessions, along with additional sessions with a dietitian.

For clients with an Eating Disorder Plan from a GP, a Medicare rebate of $96.65 is available for a 50-minute session, either in-person or online.

Certain Private Health Funds offer rebates for psychology sessions; however, the rebate amount depends on your level of cover and the provider. Alicia encourages you to contact your health insurance company to check your eligibility for a rebate. After each appointment, Alicia will email you an invoice with all the information needed to claim directly from your Health Fund. Please note that you cannot claim rebates from both Medicare and your Private Health Insurance for the same session.

Unfortunately, Alicia does not offer bulk-billed sessions. If you’re looking for free or bulk-billed services, it is recommended that you speak with your GP, who can provide information about available options in your area.