How can businesses support their employees’ mental health amid Medicare cuts

Mental health is a key component of a person’s overall health and wellbeing and has a significant impact on cognitive, social and emotional ability. So it’s no surprise that the decision made by the Albanese government to drop back the number of Medicare-funded psychology visits from 20 to 10 has alarmed mental health experts and advocates.

Health Minister Mark Butler explained that the decision was made as the current scheme was putting extended pressure on waitlists, plus inhibiting new patients and those on low incomes from accessing mental health treatments. The number of patients currently seeking professional services is still considerably greater than 2019 pre-pandemic indicators, and both the Institute of Clinical Psychologists (ICP) and the Australian Clinical Psychology Association (ACPA) have called on the government to reverse their decision.

While there are still forums and roundtable discussions planned for government reform of the Medicare system, including the sustainability of funded mental health services, it’s another highlight of how broken the system is and further evidence that workplace support for employees in this area can alleviate the burden on the public system.

The mental health of employees is as important for businesses as it is for the individual experiencing it; the business is only as effective as the people operating it. There is opportunity and necessity for businesses to ensure that their teams are healthy and well, both physically and mentally, by providing evidence-based wellbeing services.

We need to let go of the assumption that the only way for individuals to access excellent mental health services is through exorbitantly-priced private referrals, or through the Medicare pathway. The barriers of trust and access, technology and experience are now giving way to the realisation that technology, platforms, and businesses can all be part of the revolution of the healthcare industry as, globally, the importance of self-care and wellbeing becomes a priority.

The growth of virtual healthcare is continuing in response to both the pandemic and the disjointed public health system, and can include the services of general, clinical and organisational psychologists, dieticians, life coaches, GPs and other specialists to offer holistic support through short- or long-term illnesses.

Business owners that want to embrace a positive, healthy and psychologically-safe culture for their teams are electing to invest in the health and wellbeing of their employees, at work and in their own time, by connecting them with specialists and covering or subsidising the cost of services through new models of employee benefits.

Virtual healthcare and wellness platforms, such as CU Health, are a win-win for everyone.

The employee benefits both at work and remotely, in their own time, and the offering improves their quality of life and their value, which manifests through their engagement on the job, with their work, and with their colleagues.

The businesses that support their employees and teams with holistic wellbeing and health benefits minimise risk, increase engagement and retention, decrease absenteeism, and are attractive to new talent looking for meaningful value as part of their remuneration packages. Prospective employees searching for an elevated culture will be looking to these organisations as attractive workplaces to be part of.

Then, there are the healthcare professionals themselves. As the brick-and-mortar model of healthcare is unravelling, medical experts, such as psychologists and GPs, are increasingly looking to offer services through virtual healthcare models to reduce burnout, offset time constraints, and alleviate the administrative burdens of managing practices, including dealing with the Medicare red tape.

The holistic approach and virtual system is sustainable and advantageous for everyone involved.

Experts are adamant that the reduction of subsidised sessions will have a detrimental impact on mental health within our communities, and it will be some time before we see any impactful reform in the Medicare landscape, particularly in the mental health sector.

Businesses can take some responsibility for their employees’ mental health and offset the burden of employee mental health issues on the business while eliminating the need for their teams to access the difficult and limited public system. 

The reduction in Medicare claimable psychology services, as well as long GP wait times and reduced access to bulk billing, provides an environment for businesses to step up, take advantage, and demonstrate that they really care for their team members by making access easier and more affordable, while also investing in themselves.

Dr Patrick Aouad is the co-founder and chief executive of [cu]health, a virtual healthcare service that serves organisations to offset the burden of poor employee wellbeing.