Thank you for considering Bellingen Psychology. Please take a moment to read through the following terms and conditions to ensure you have a clear understanding of our services and policies.

Location:

The practice is located in Room 6 of the Old Council Chambers at 1A Oak Street, Bellingen. Upon arrival, if Room 6 is occupied, please wait in the designated waiting area or on the veranda. Restrooms are available, with the nearest located to the left after the waiting room.

Appointment Length:

Standard appointments are scheduled for 50 minutes.

Fees:

Sessions are billed at $190*.

If you have a mental health plan from your doctor the rebate will be claimed on your behalf at the time of payment. This should go straight into your bank account within 1 - 2 days. The current rebate is $96.65, so the out-of-pocket expense will be $93.35. 

Please note that a mental health plan provides for ten sessions per calendar year, starting January 1st. The initial plan authorises six sessions, after which a review with your doctor is necessary for further sessions.

Please ensure that you provide your Mental Health Care Plan to the psychologist prior to or during your first session to facilitate the rebate process.

Payment:

Full payment is required to book your initial appointment and all subsequent payments will be automatically processed at the commencement of the appointment.

Halaxy software will securely save your card details to process future payments for this service.

Rebates will be automatically processed at the time of payment.

Cancelation policies do apply, please see below.

Cancellation Policy:

If you need to cancel your appointment, please provide more than 48 hours' notice.

If you cancel your appt between 24 - 48 hours of your appointment, you will be charged a 50% cancellation fee.

If you cancel your appointment within 24 hours, you will be charged a 100% cancellation fee.

The cancellation fee is billed at the standard rate ($190.00).  Additionally, you will not receive your Medicare rebate.

The Cancellation fee will be automatically processed at the time of your intended appointment.  

Contact Information:

For any question or queries please email contact@bellingenpsychology.com.au

Please note we do not offer a 24/7 crisis service and if you are in need of urgent care, please call 000 or 1800 011 511 (NSW Mental Health Line). 

Privacy and Confidentiality:

Your privacy is of utmost importance. We collect and record personal information relevant to your situation, which is treated as confidential and securely stored.

Exceptions to confidentiality include:

·         situations where there is a risk of harm to yourself or others,

·         if subpoenaed by a court,

·         or if disclosure is necessary to report serious crimes, domestic violence, or child abuse.

Privacy Note Regarding Medicare Rebates:

Your personal information collected for Medicare rebates is protected by law under the Privacy Act 1988. This information is used by the Australian Government Department of Human Services for payment and service administration purposes. More information about the handling of personal information can be found on their website.

Privacy Note Regarding Halaxy:

Bellingen Psychology utilises Halaxy, a secure healthcare management software, to streamline our appointment scheduling, billing, and record-keeping processes, ensuring your personal and health information is managed with the utmost confidentiality and security.

Halaxy's privacy and confidentiality policy outlines the principles and practices for handling personal information, ensuring it is collected, stored, used, and disclosed responsibly and securely. Key elements of the policy include:

Types of Information Collected: Halaxy collects a range of personal information necessary for providing healthcare services. This includes names, addresses, contact details, dates of birth, health information, and payment details. The collection methods are lawful and relevant to the service provided.

Purpose of Information Collection: The primary purpose for collecting personal information is to deliver healthcare services effectively. This involves treatment planning, monitoring progress, and managing the patient-practitioner relationship. Secondary purposes include training staff, legal compliance, and internal administration.

Use and Disclosure of Information: Personal information is used strictly for the reasons it was collected unless consent is given for other uses. Information may be shared with third parties involved in the provision of healthcare, such as billing services and other healthcare providers, but only to the extent necessary and with appropriate safeguards.

Security Measures: Halaxy implements robust security measures to protect personal information from unauthorized access, loss, or misuse. This includes secure storage solutions, access controls, and regular security audits to ensure compliance with privacy laws and best practices.

Access and Correction Rights: Clients have the right to access and correct their personal information held by Halaxy. Requests for access or correction are handled promptly and transparently, ensuring that any inaccuracies are rectified.

Anonymity and De-identification: Clients have the option to remain anonymous or use a pseudonym where feasible. Personal information that is no longer needed for its original purpose is either destroyed or de-identified.

These measures demonstrate Halaxy's commitment to maintaining the privacy and confidentiality of client information, fostering trust and ensuring compliance with legal and ethical standards​.

If you have any concerns or questions regarding these terms and conditions, please do not hesitate to make contact before your first session. support@bellingenpsychology.com.au

*The APS National Schedule of Suggested Fees 2024-2025 has the standard 46 to 60-minute consultation fee at $311.