Item 80170
Better Access — Mental Health Social Worker (group)
Focussed psychological strategies group service provided in person by an eligible social worker to a group of 4 to 10 patients, at least 60 minutes duration.
Plain-English summary. See MBS Online for the verbatim descriptor of each item.
At least 60 minutes
Not capped
Required
Accredited Mental Health Social Worker (eligible under Better Access)
Requirements to bill
Conditions imposed by the descriptor that must be met to claim this item.
- 1Each patient in the group must have a current Better Access referral.
- 2Provider must be an eligible accredited mental health social worker.
- 3Group size 4 to 10 patients, in person, at least 60 minutes.
- 4Each session counts toward the patient's annual Better Access group cap (10 group sessions per calendar year).
Your notes must show
Documentation tests — what clinical notes need to demonstrate to survive a PSR audit.
- Date, start time, end time, location, and item number claimed.
- Number of patients in attendance, facilitator(s).
- Session topic and the focussed psychological strategy delivered.
- Per-member: attendance, participation, response, risk concerns flagged.
- Group-level dynamics and any incidents.
- Reference to each member's MHTP goals.
Common audit failures
Patterns the Professional Services Review scheme and Medicare audits flag.
- Session under 60 minutes.
- Per-member attendance not recorded.
- Per-member files contain identifying information about other members.
- No reference to MHTP goals.
- Group size below 4 or above 10.
Related MBS items
GP Mental Health Treatment Plan — preparation (20 to less than 40 minutes)
GP Mental Health Treatment Plan — preparation (at least 40 minutes)
Better Access — Clinical Psychologist (group therapy)
Better Access — Registered Psychologist (group)
Better Access — Mental Health Social Worker (individual focussed psychological strategies)
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
Writing Better Access Progress Reports in Half the Time
Every psychologist under the Better Access initiative must send a progress report to the referring GP after 6 sessions. This guide provides a step-by-step workflow for writing efficient, compliant reports that satisfy Medicare requirements without consuming your entire evening.
Group Therapy Documentation: A Mental Health Practitioner Guide
Group therapy notes need to capture the group as a whole, each member's participation, and any incidents or risk concerns — without breaching members' privacy across each other's files. This guide details the dual-record structure.
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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