MBS item 2715: GP mental health plan, MH trained, 20–39 min

What to check before you bill item 2715

Each line links to the MBS passage it comes from.

• By a GP (vocationally recognised, or a GP registrar) Item 2715
• You have done GPMHSC-recognised mental health skills training (the descriptor's wording doesn't separate this; the note's item lists do) AN.0.56
• Face to face (the video versions are separate) AN.0.56
• The plan attendance lasted at least 20 minutes but less than 40 (a separate consult's time doesn't count) Item 2715
• You gave the service personally (a nurse, allied health worker, or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health worker may assist, but your own attendance must meet the requirements, including the time) AN.0.56
• The patient has a clinically diagnosed mental disorder (dementia, delirium, tobacco use disorder, and intellectual disability don't count) AN.0.56
• At the patient's MyMedicare registered practice, or you're their usual doctor or practice (most of their care in the last or next 12 months) AN.0.56
• Explained the plan and its steps to the patient (and carer, if appropriate) and recorded the patient's agreement to proceed AN.0.56
• The assessment used an outcome measurement tool such as the K10 or DASS-21, unless clinically inappropriate AN.0.56
• The assessment included a formulation of the mental disorder with a provisional or formal diagnosis AN.0.56
• Identified and discussed referral and treatment options with the patient, including support services AN.0.56
• Agreed treatment goals with the patient, and any actions the patient will take AN.0.56
• Gave the patient relevant education about their mental disorder AN.0.56
• Made a plan for crisis intervention or relapse prevention AN.0.56
• Arranged the referrals, treatment, support services, review, and follow-up needed AN.0.56
• All of this is recorded in writing in the plan, and a copy of the plan is added to the patient's records AN.0.56
• Offered the patient (and carer, where appropriate) a copy of the completed plan AN.0.56
• If a separate consult is also claimed at this visit, its time isn't counted in the plan's time AN.0.56
• For a private inpatient being discharged from hospital, the plan is claimed at the 75% benefit AN.0.56

How often item 2715 can be claimed

• Generally one new plan in 12 months: not within 12 months of a previous plan unless clinically required or exceptional circumstances (e.g. a significant change in mental health) AN.0.56

Billing item 2715 with other items

With a consultation on the same day: only if it’s distinct. Another attendance the same day only if both are clinically relevant and distinct; its time isn't counted in the plan AN.0.56

Can’t be billed with item 2715

• Eating disorder treatment and management plan (EDTMP) (all 16 items, including 90252, 90250, 90253, 90256, 92148, and 90251)
  • Not within 12 months after an eating disorder treatment and management plan, unless exceptional circumstances AN.36.2

Only in some cases with item 2715

• Acupuncture (items 193, 195, 197, and 199)
  • Another attendance the same day only if both are clinically relevant and distinct; its time isn't counted in the plan AN.0.56
• Prolonged attendance on a patient in imminent danger of death (all 10 items, including 160, 161, 162, 163, 164, and 214)
  • Another attendance the same day only if both are clinically relevant and distinct; its time isn't counted in the plan AN.0.56
• Patient-end support for a specialist video consultation (all 32 items, including 2487, 2488, 2489, 2484, 2485, and 2486)
  • Another attendance the same day only if both are clinically relevant and distinct; its time isn't counted in the plan AN.0.56
• Urgent after-hours attendance (all 8 items, including 585, 599, 594, 588, 591, and 600)
  • Another attendance the same day only if both are clinically relevant and distinct; its time isn't counted in the plan AN.0.56
• General consultation (all 153 items, including 3, 4, 5000, 5003, 5010, and 90020)
  • Another attendance the same day only if both are clinically relevant and distinct; its time isn't counted in the plan AN.0.56
  • A new plan is prepared under these items, not a general consultation (general consultations are for plan reviews and ongoing mental health care) AN.0.56

Can be billed with item 2715

• GP chronic condition management plan (care plan) (items 965, 92029, 392, and 92060)
  • A GP mental health treatment plan can also be completed when the patient also needs mental health support (AN.0.47’s example) AN.0.47

Bulk-billing incentive

An extra payment when a doctor bulk bills an unreferred service. With item 2715, one of these:

Other versions

Mental health treatment plan (MHTP) has 16 items. The closest to item 2715:

What comes next

• Opens up to 10 individual and 10 group Better Access therapy sessions a calendar year (psychology, or focussed psychological strategies from a registered GP) on a written referral that states the number of sessions (at most 6 in the first course), for patients needing at least a moderate level of support. (items 2721, 2723, 2725, and 2727)
• Review the plan in a general consultation at least once a year (not within 4 weeks of preparing it, and no more than once in 3 months); a review is needed before a further course of therapy. (items 3, 4, 5000, and 5003)

Where the MBS is unclear

• The four GP face-to-face descriptors don't separate trained from untrained doctors: 2700/2701 say 'including a general practitioner who has not undertaken' and 2715/2717 'including a general practitioner who has undertaken' mental health skills training, so read literally any GP fits both, and 2715's bracket never closes (it swallows the time). Only AN.0.56's item lists make training the deciding fact, and that is how these versions are split. Item 2715

Common questions

What is the fee for MBS item 2715?

The schedule fee is $108.95, and the Medicare benefit is 100% of it ($108.95). That’s under the MBS in force from 1 August 2026.

How many minutes is item 2715?

The plan attendance lasted at least 20 minutes but less than 40 (a separate consult's time doesn't count).

Can item 2715 be done by video or phone?

No. Face to face (the video versions are separate).

Who can bill item 2715?

By a GP (vocationally recognised, or a GP registrar).

How often can item 2715 be claimed?

Generally one new plan in 12 months: not within 12 months of a previous plan unless clinically required or exceptional circumstances (e.g. a significant change in mental health).

Can item 2715 be claimed on the same day as a consultation?

Yes, if it’s distinct. Another attendance the same day only if both are clinically relevant and distinct; its time isn't counted in the plan.

Can you bill 2715 and 965 together?

Yes. A GP mental health treatment plan can also be completed when the patient also needs mental health support (AN.0.47’s example). (Source: MBS AN.0.47.)

Can you bill 2715 and 90252 together?

No. Not within 12 months after an eating disorder treatment and management plan, unless exceptional circumstances. (Source: MBS AN.36.2.)

What can’t item 2715 be billed with?

The MBS has a rule against billing item 2715 with these: eating disorder treatment and management plan (EDTMP). Each rule and its source is on this page.

Can item 2715 be billed with a bulk-billing incentive?

Yes. An extra payment when a doctor bulk bills an unreferred service. The items are 10990, 10991, 75855, 75856, 75857, and 75858.

Sources

• Item 2715: Group A20 GP Mental Health Treatment › Subgroup 1 GP Mental Health Treatment Plans
• Note AN.0.56: GP Mental Health Treatment Plans and Consultation
• Note AN.36.2: Eating Disorders Treatment and Management Plans Explanatory Notes
• Note AN.0.47: GP chronic condition management plans (MBS items 392, 393, 965, 967, 92029, 92030, 92060, 92061)