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The Medicare monthly claim form  has changed. The primary changes to the claim form are;

• there is now an optional interactive version of the form which enables electronic completion;
• new field for session times allowing data to be  captured for reporting; and
• the form is reduced from 3 to 2  pages required for submission.

You must use the new MHNIP claim form from 1 January 2012.  

There is an Excel template of the MHNIP claim form available via the members section of the ACMHN website (http://www.acmhn.org/members-area/member-login.html). This template was developed by Rose Burns from the Peninsula GP Network, Victoria. This Excel template has been updated as per the new Medicare requirements. Medicare has provided permission for mental health nurses to continue use this template.

Medicare as also released a December 2011 program update  and has recently published Frequently Asked Questions on their website: http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/provider/incentives/mhnip/mhnip_faqs.jsp

If you have any feedback on the new claim form or Medicare’s Frequently Asked Questions, please let the College know by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

MHN Incentive Program MHNIP

The Mental Health Nurse Incentive Program (MHNIP) provides mental health nurses who are Credentialed under the ACMHN's Credential for Practice Program with an opportunity to embark on a new career path into primary practice.

Under MHNIP, general practitioners, divisions of general practice, psychiatrists and Aboriginal health services can engage mental health nurses to provide coordinated clinical care for people with severe mental disorders.

In 2010, the Australian Government announced an additional $13.0 million would be allocated to the MNHIP nationally, to engage 136 extra mental health nurses under the program. This brings the total funding for the MHNIP to $79.777million over six years (2006/07 – 2011/12).  At the end of April 2010, a total of 42,696 patients had been treated since the program’s inception.

There are a range of ways mental health nurses choose to work under the program (ranging from employee status, to working in private practice under self-funded arrangements) and a number of practice and funding models exist. Please contact the ACMHN for further information.

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