Mental Health Care Programme treating severe depression

Here for you, here for your health

If you have been treated for major depression, feel assured that you are not alone. The Mental Health Care Programme gives you access to enhanced support and additional benefits to support you in managing your condition.

What is the Mental Health Care Programme?

The Mental Health Care Programme, together with your nominated Premier Plus GP or network psychologist, will help you actively manage major depression. This Programme gives you,your nominated Premier Plus GP and network psychologist access to tools and benefits to monitor and manage your condition to ensure you get high quality and coordinated healthcare and the best outcomes.

The Mental Health Care Programme promotes the diagnosis and initiation of treatment of major depressionto reduce the fragmented care between mental and physical health, allowing for faster diagnosis and treatment.

Benefits offered by the Mental Health Care Programme

The Mental Health Care Programme runs over a six-to-twelve-month period. For more in-depth information about the benefits below, you can view them in the Mental Health Care Programme benefit guide.

Members who are eligible to join will have access to the following benefits:

Up to three consultations (virtual or face-to-face) with your nominated Premier Plus GP

Antidepressant medicine

Up to three psychotherapy consultations or nine group therapy sessions with your enrolling network psychologist

Access to internet-based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (iCBT) when referred by your nominated Premier Plus GP or network psychologist, subject to clinical entry criteria

*Plan and network rules apply

Out-of-hospital management of depression as a Prescribed Minimum Benefit

Enrolment and participation in a disease management programme have shown to enhance both the efficiency and effectiveness of managing your condition. In addition to the cover provided through the Mental Health Care Programme, you may also apply for Prescribed Minimum Benefit (PMB) cover if you are diagnosed with depression. This will provide additional support for the out-of-hospital management of your condition.

If you are on the Smart or KeyCare Plans, you must enrol on the Mental Health Care Programme to be eligible for cover for the out-of-hospital management of depression. If you are enrolled on the Mental Health Care Programme we will cover your psychotherapy consultations up to the Discovery Health Rate. If you are not enrolled on the Mental Health Care Programme, you will have to pay a co-payment as we will fund your psychotherapy consultations up to 80% of the Discovery Health Rate.

You can find more information on out-of-hospital management of a Prescribed Minimum Benefit condition here.

Learn more about the Depression Risk Reduction Programme here.

Additional support for mental wellbeing

You and your dependents can complete a Mental Wellbeing Assessment on the website or on the Discovery Health app > My health > View available screenings.

How to join

To access the Mental Health Care Programme, you must consult with your nominated Premier Plus GP or a psychologist in the Mental Health Care Programme Network and meet certain criteria. Your nominated Premier Plus GP can enrol you on the programme through HealthID if you have given consent. You can give your doctor access to your Electronic Health Record (EHR) here.

Discover your best health with Personal Health Pathways

You can access your personalised healthcare pathway through the Discovery Health app making it easy for you to seamlessly navigate the healthcare system and to know what will have the biggest impact on your health. Completing these health and exercise actions will not only have a positive influence on your health but you can get rewarded along the way. As a Discovery Health Medical Scheme member, you can also access increased healthcare benefits when you complete your health next best actions. Learn more here.

Find a Premier Plus GP or network psychologist near you

Members on KeyCare plans must choose a doctor who is on both the KeyCare or KeyCare Start and Premier Plus GP network. Members on Smart plans must choose a doctor who is on both the Smart and Premier Plus GP network.

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