HUNTER mental health clinicians are concerned some of the larger health funds are putting patients at risk by not supporting group therapy sessions as they move online in response to COVID-19.
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One therapist working within the region said major health funds including nib, Bupa and HCF had been refusing to fund group therapy sessions if patients accessed them online via a video conferencing platform.
She said it was potentially very damaging for the mental health of people who were already vulnerable.
Another clinician called the situation "ridiculous".
She said patients who would usually attend a day group psychotherapy program - which could run for up to 20 weeks - would still be covered for the sessions if they attended face-to-face.
But those who were trying to self-isolate, or were too anxious to leave their house, would not be covered by some health funds if they chose to take part in the sessions at home via a video conferencing link.
"The other funds have come on board. But some of the health funds - some of the biggest ones we work with - nib, Bupa and HCF - haven't agreed to swap over to this.
"These patients pay their membership to come to the service, they were covered for it a few weeks ago, and now because it is moving online to telehealth, the health funds are saying they won't fund that part of the contract anymore. For those patients who are either having to self isolate or can't make it to group - they are really vulnerable. They already have pre-existing mental health injuries, which is why they are going, and this is a really stressful time for people.
"One phone call with a clinician is a very different experience than being connected to the group they have been a part of. They have built relationships with those group members, they support each other and they are learning skills about how to manage their mental health. That's really important.
"Group therapy sessions hold people amid their unwellness and crises, and if we can keep people out of hospital, that is a good thing. Particularly now."
The clinician said people suffering from mental ill health often did not have the energy to switch health funds, or make a complaint.
"It leaves those people with a decision to have to drop out, or come along if they are still well enough. But they can't access telehealth," she said.
"This is about helping them stay supported."
"If people can't access these services, my worry is that they become more unwell and that they will have to seek readmission to an inpatient unit, and that's not what we want for anyone at the moment - for the patients themselves, our hospital system, or for our health care workers."
In response to the Newcastle Herald's questions, HCF has said it would fund half-day mental health hospital attendances delivered via video or telephone to services previously provided in hospital for the next three months.
"HCF understands that these are challenging times and is committed to doing all we can to support members by ensuring they have access to the services they need in a way that accommodates their current needs," Julie Andrews, HCF's chief officer for member health, said. "Whether a member wishes to participate in a mental health program in person or via video or telephone is completely up to the member and we will support them in their decision as best we can. This is why we are funding, at no cost to our members, mental health programs delivered virtually."
Nib chief executive Mark Fitzgibbon said they were adopting general treatment telemedicine services where "appropriate guidelines" were in place.
"The delivering of group mental health services via telemedicine is currently under review to determine the best method of providing treatment to our members while continuing to ensure patient confidentiality and cybersecurity requirements are maintained," he said.
"We see the rapid adoption of telemedicine as a positive move to modernising the application of care in Australia and fully support its responsible adoption.
"Members can also upgrade their hospital cover and waive the standard two-month waiting period to access full benefits for psychiatric treatment."
A Bupa spokesperson said they were "still working through" a "telehealth modified group option" with hospitals and were unable to comment further on commercial discussions.
"Any telehealth group program experience is likely to be different to existing day programs in content and member experience and as such we are working closely with our providers to offer a one-to-one option or a modified group option as a temporary arrangement during COVID 19."
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