Frequently Asked Questions
I'm sure you have lots of questions about my practice and how it works. I hope you will find all the answers you need here. If you have any additional questions, feel free to reach out to me directly. I'm here to help!
Where is Cornerstone Psychology?
My address is suite 5C, 21 Harry Street, Ashgrove, QLD, 4060. You can find me on Google maps here. I am located in the Specialist Medical Centre next to the Coles in Ashgrove. There is plenty of parking available onsite, and it's a short walk from the Stewart Road at Ashgrove Village bus stop.
How long is the appointment?
An initial consultation session will last approximately 50 minutes.
Do I need a referral?
No. However, you may benefit from a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) under the Medicare Better Access Program. This funding program provides a Medicare rebate for up to 10 psychology sessions per calendar year. A MHCP requires a referral from a GP or from a specialist (e.g. psychiatrist or paediatrician). More information about MHCP and the Better Access Program can be found here. ​
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I will need a copy of your MHCP referral at the time of your appointment for you to receive a Medicare rebate. In some circumstances, the GP or specialist will provide you with a copy of the referral at the time of your appointment. In other cases, they may require some additional time to write the referral. If additional time is needed, please ask your GP or specialist to email it to me at penny@cornerstonepsychology.au so it is available in time for your appointment.
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​Please contact me if you have any questions about the MHCP process.
What are the fees and rebates?
The initial and all follow up appointments are billed at $220 per hour. If you are funded through the NDIS, the hourly rate is $222.99 as per the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits.
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If you have a MHCP you will be eligible for a rebate through Medicare of $96.65. If you do not have a valid MHCP, you can also use your private health fund to claim part of the consultation fee. Each fund is different so it is important to speak directly with your fund to confirm what rebate you will receive.
Both Medicare Easy Claim and private health rebates are available via our online Tyro claims system. This means I can process your claim directly into your bank account on the day of your appointment.
I accept bank debit cards, credit cards and cash payments for consultations. I do not accept American Express. The Tyro process requires a card linked to a savings or cheque account for any direct Medicare rebate to be refunded on the spot. If you do not have a suitable card, I will give you a receipt which you can use to manually claim your rebate from Medicare or your private Health Fund. I can only process a private health claim via our Tyro system on the day of your appointment and cannot backdate a claim.
Fees may be charged for additional services, including writing reports for third parties, completing additional assessments, and attending meetings with third parties. These fees are charged based on the individual circumstances, and will be discussed with you prior to any additional services being negotiated.
How do I make further appointments?
Appointments can be made through creating an account and registering to my booking portal.
What are your business hours?Â
I have appointments available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9am to 4:30pm. Consultations are available via appointment only. Please email penny@cornerstonepsychology.au to book your first appointment.
What do I do to prepare for my appointment?Â
You will be given a link to complete the contact information form online prior to your arrival. If you are an NDIS participant, you will be given an additional form as well.
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Alternatively you can arrive 10 minutes early to allow time to complete the form. You will find the contact information form on a clipboard at the reception desk. I may be with another client and will come to meet you in the reception waiting area.