Item 2715
GP Mental Health Treatment Plan — preparation (20 to less than 40 minutes)
Preparation by a general practitioner who has completed mental-health-skills training of a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan for a patient with a mental disorder, where the consultation takes at least 20 minutes but less than 40 minutes. Includes assessment, preparation of a documented plan, and discussion with the patient.
Plain-English summary. See MBS Online for the verbatim descriptor of each item.
At least 20 minutes but less than 40 minutes
Generally once per 12 months
Not required
General Practitioner
Requirements to bill
Conditions imposed by the descriptor that must be met to claim this item.
- 1GP must have completed mental-health-skills training (or claim under the equivalent non-skills item).
- 2Recorded assessment of the patient.
- 3A documented treatment plan prepared during the consultation.
- 4The plan must be discussed with the patient and offered to them in writing.
- 5A review timeframe must be arranged.
Your notes must show
Documentation tests — what clinical notes need to demonstrate to survive a PSR audit.
- Assessment of the patient using a validated screening tool (e.g. K10, PHQ-9), with the score documented.
- A diagnosis or clinical formulation.
- A treatment plan that includes psychoeducation, non-pharmacological interventions, pharmacological treatment (if applicable), and referral arrangements.
- Evidence the plan was documented and provided to the patient.
- A specified review timeframe.
Common audit failures
Patterns the Professional Services Review scheme and Medicare audits flag.
- No validated screening tool score recorded.
- Treatment plan referenced but not actually documented in the record.
- No evidence the plan was discussed with the patient.
- Item billed for a consultation under 20 minutes.
- Item billed more than once per 12 months without a clinical justification.
Related MBS items
Diagnostic codes commonly billed under this item
ICD-10-AM diagnoses whose Medicare pathway includes this item. Click through to the diagnostic-code reference for differential codes and clinical context.
Mental and Behavioural Disorders Due to Alcohol Use
Substance Use Disorders
Mental and Behavioural Disorders Due to Opioid Use
Substance Use Disorders
Mental and Behavioural Disorders Due to Cannabinoid Use
Substance Use Disorders
Mental and Behavioural Disorders Due to Sedatives or Hypnotics
Substance Use Disorders
Mental and Behavioural Disorders Due to Cocaine Use
Substance Use Disorders
Mental and Behavioural Disorders Due to Other Stimulants Including Caffeine
Substance Use Disorders
Mental and Behavioural Disorders Due to Hallucinogens
Substance Use Disorders
Mental and Behavioural Disorders Due to Multiple Drug Use
Substance Use Disorders
Schizophrenia
Psychotic Disorders
Schizotypal Disorder
Psychotic Disorders
Persistent Delusional Disorders
Psychotic Disorders
Acute and Transient Psychotic Disorders
Psychotic Disorders
Induced Delusional Disorder
Psychotic Disorders
Schizoaffective Disorders
Psychotic Disorders
Other Nonorganic Psychotic Disorders
Psychotic Disorders
Unspecified Nonorganic Psychosis
Psychotic Disorders
Manic Episode
Mood Disorders
Bipolar Affective Disorder
Mood Disorders
Depressive Episode
Mood Disorders
Recurrent Depressive Disorder
Mood Disorders
Persistent Mood Disorders
Mood Disorders
Other Recurrent Mood Disorders — Unipolar Mania
Mood Disorders
Other Mood (Affective) Disorders
Mood Disorders
Unspecified Mood Disorder
Mood Disorders
Phobic Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety Disorders
Other Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety Disorders
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Anxiety Disorders
Reaction to Severe Stress and Adjustment Disorders
Anxiety Disorders
Dissociative (Conversion) Disorders
Anxiety Disorders
Somatoform Disorders
Anxiety Disorders
Other Neurotic Disorders
Anxiety Disorders
Nonorganic Sleep Disorders
Behavioural Syndromes
Sexual Dysfunction Not Caused by Organic Disorder or Disease
Behavioural Syndromes
Mental and Behavioural Disorders Associated with the Puerperium
Behavioural Syndromes
Psychological and Behavioural Factors Associated with Disorders or Diseases Classified Elsewhere
Behavioural Syndromes
Abuse of Non-Dependence-Producing Substances
Behavioural Syndromes
Specific Personality Disorders
Personality Disorders
Mixed and Other Personality Disorders
Personality Disorders
Enduring Personality Changes Not Attributable to Brain Damage and Disease
Personality Disorders
Habit and Impulse Disorders
Personality Disorders
Gender Identity Disorders
Personality Disorders
Disorders of Sexual Preference
Personality Disorders
Psychological and Behavioural Disorders Associated with Sexual Development and Orientation
Personality Disorders
Other Disorders of Adult Personality and Behaviour
Personality Disorders
Specific Developmental Disorders of Speech and Language
Developmental Disorders
Specific Developmental Disorders of Scholastic Skills
Developmental Disorders
Specific Developmental Disorder of Motor Function
Developmental Disorders
Mixed Specific Developmental Disorders
Developmental Disorders
Other Disorders of Psychological Development
Developmental Disorders
Unspecified Disorder of Psychological Development
Developmental Disorders
Hyperkinetic Disorders / ADHD
Childhood & Adolescent Disorders
Conduct Disorders
Childhood & Adolescent Disorders
Mixed Disorders of Conduct and Emotions
Childhood & Adolescent Disorders
Emotional Disorders with Onset Specific to Childhood
Childhood & Adolescent Disorders
Disorders of Social Functioning with Onset in Childhood
Childhood & Adolescent Disorders
Tic Disorders
Childhood & Adolescent Disorders
Other Behavioural and Emotional Disorders with Onset in Childhood
Childhood & Adolescent Disorders
Templates that document this item
Note templates inside Grounded Scribe that produce documentation aligned to this MBS item.
In-depth reading in the Library
Medicare Audit-Ready Documentation: A GP's Guide to MBS Item Number Compliance
Professional Services Review audits can result in repayment demands, exclusion from Medicare, and public referral. Your clinical notes are the primary evidence in any PSR investigation. This guide details exactly what your documentation must contain to withstand scrutiny.
A Guide to Clinical Note Templates for Australian Practitioners
From SOAP notes to MBS-compliant templates, learn how to choose the right clinical note format for your profession, your clients, and Medicare billing requirements.
Source authority
Documentation tests on this page reference the descriptor conditions and PSR-audit patterns covered in our existing Library guides. Always confirm current rules against the official descriptor.
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