MHNIP News & Discussion

New Fax Number for MHNIP Logs 1300 581 573

Update for Credentialed Mental Health Nurses delivering services through the Mental Health Nurse Incentive Program (28 November 2011)

As I’m sure you are aware, there are over 1000 Credentialed Mental Health Nurses (CMHNs) in Australia. Many CMHNs are now delivering mental health services in primary health care through the Mental Health Nurse Incentive Program (MHNIP). The College supports these CMHNs by providing resources and information about the program. There have been some developments about which I wanted to keep you informed, particularly those of you who work in the MHNIP.

Evaluation of the Mental Health Nurse Incentive Program

The Department of Health and Ageing has recently appointed Healthcare Management Advisors to evaluate the Mental Health Nurse Incentive Program. The evaluators will be consulting with stakeholders including the College and we will be encouraging the evaluators to talk with as many mental health nurses as possible. We believe the evaluation is critical to providing the evidence that the MHNIP delivers outcomes for consumers and cost savings for the health system. The MHNIP evaluation is due to be completed by August 2012.

Increase to $240 session payment needed – What can you do?

While the College is pleased that the evaluation has commenced, we are disappointed that it has taken so long. We don’t expect that there will be any changes to the MHNIP until after the evaluation is completed. The College believes that it is not reasonable to expect CMHNs to continue to deliver services through the MHNIP without any increase in the program payments for another 18 months. We will be lobbying the Government to increase the $240 session payment in the next Budget. You can help by completing this short 10 minute survey:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MHNIP *for Credentialed Mental Health Nurses only*

You can also support the College’s efforts by asking the GPs, Psychiatrists and organisations you work with to write to the Minister for Mental Health and Ageing explaining how consumers will be affected if the payment doesn’t increase.

Updated MHNIP guidelines and forms

Medicare has been reviewing all their MHNIP documentation over the last few months. The MHNIP Guidelines were re-issued with some slight changes. There are no substantial changes to the Guidelines that affect the rules of the program. The Guidelines were re-issued because Medicare has become part of the Department of Human Services and they are rebranding all their publications. The Department of Health and Ageing also used this as a chance to make some of the sections that were unclear easier to understand.

The MHNIP Application Form and the MHNIP Establishment Payment Application Form have been reissued and Medicare has made a number of changes. These changes are intended to ensure the Eligible Organisation is aware of its responsibilities and obligations when it registers for the MHNIP. For example, on the MHNIP Application Form, it is now clearer who must sign the form on behalf of the eligible organisation and the type and level of insurances that the eligible organisation must have. The College expects that the Monthly Claim Form will also be re-issued shortly with some slight changes.

Medicare is contacting all Eligible Organisations

Medicare has informed the ACMHN that it will be contacting all Eligible Organisations to ensure that these organisations are aware of their obligations and responsibilities under the MHNIP. Some CMHNs have reported that this has created confusion and apprehension as the organisations are concerned about being contacted by Medicare. I encourage you to ensure that the Eligible Organisations you work with are aware that they will be contacted by Medicare and that they are already fully aware of the requirements outlined in the MHNIP Guidelines.

Primary Mental Health Care Conference – 16 & 17 March 2012

Just a reminder to save the dates of Friday 16 March and Saturday17 March 2012 for the Primary Mental Health Care Conference. This conference will once again be held in Canberra and provides the opportunity to network with other mental health nurses working in primary mental health care. We will send out further details about the conference before the end of the year.

Connect with others

Finally, you may not be aware that the College has a Primary Mental Health Care e-network to which you can subscribe. Through this e-network, you can raise issues, ask questions and share knowledge with other mental health nurses working in primary mental health care. You can subscribe through the ACMHN website.

Fact Sheets on changes to Better Access Program

Changes to the Better Access program were announced in the May 2011 Budget. Some of these changes affect GP Mental Health Care Plans and GP Mental Health Consultations. Details on the changes are outlined in Fact Sheets released by the Government.

MHNIP How-To Guide for Mental Health Nurses

7th April 2011: MHNIP Toolkit Now available for ACMHN Members - please Login to access!

The Australian College of Mental Health Nurses (ACMHN) has compiled this toolkit to help Credentialed Mental Health Nurses who deliver services under the Mental Health Nurse Incentive Program (MHNIP), or those considering working under the program, by providing some information about the experience of others and what is required.

The toolkit is based on information provided by members who have experience delivering services under the MHNIP, in diverse locations and utilising different employment arrangements. The toolkit is constantly being added to and if you have an issue that you would like it to cover, or information that you would like to add, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Toolkit topics:

Introduction to the Mental Health Nurse Incentive Program
Understanding General Practice
Role of the Mental Health Nurse
Employment or Private Practice?
Case Studies

Medicare MHNIP Program Updates

Medicare Australia's Mental Health Nurse Incentive Program Update. This bulletin is designed to highlight key Mental Health Nurse Incentive Program topics and administration hints and tips.

Medicare welcomes feedback on the contents the updates, or any article ideas you may have, in order to better tailor upcoming issues to your needs. Please direct your comments to the Mental Health Nurse Incentive Program Update Editor, by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it