Psychology services policy

Who can provide psychology services to injured workers?

WorkSafe, will only pay for psychology services by healthcare professionals who are:

• registered by WorkSafe to provide psychology services, and
• fully registered with the Psychology Board of Australia

Who can provide neuropsychological services to injured workers?

WorkSafe will only pay for neuropsychological services by healthcare professionals who are:

• registered by WorkSafe to provide neuropsychology services
• qualified with a Masters Degree in Clinical Neuropsychology
• fully registered under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (eg. AHPRA) to practice in the psychology profession with an accreditation in clinical neuropsychology and registration includes an endorsement as a clinical neuropsychologist
• able to provide evidence of current professional indemnity insurance

Further information on WorkSafe's required level of professional indemnity insurance can be found on WorkSafe's service provider registration application for psychology services.

WorkSafe expectations for the delivery of psychology services to injured workers

WorkSafe expects that all psychologists providing services to injured workers as part of the Victorian Workers' Compensation Scheme integrate the principles of the Clinical Framework for the Delivery of Psychology Services to Injured Workers (Clinical Framework) into their daily practice.

The Clinical Framework is based on the following principles:

1. measurable treatment effectiveness must be demonstrated
2. a biopsychosocial approach is essential for the management of pain and psychological injury
3. treatment must focus on empowering the worker to manage their injury
4. treatment goals must be functional and focused on return to work
5. treatment must be based on the best evidence available

Referral requirements

• A medical practitioner must provide a referral for psychology services prior to commencement of treatment. WorkSafe considers psychology to be a referred service. A referral from a medical practitioner must therefore be provided. Referred services include all approved health services with the exception of medical, chiropractic, physiotherapy, osteopathic, optometry, dental and podiatry services.
• No referral to other health services. WorkSafe does not allow psychologists to provide referrals to other health services.

How much WorkSafe will pay

WorkSafe will pay the reasonable costs of psychological services, up to the maximum amount as detailed on WorkSafe's Psychology Services Fee Schedule.

What WorkSafe will pay for

WorkSafe will pay the reasonable costs of psychology services that meet all of the following criteria:

• treatment is for:
  • a work-related injury or illness, where the workers’ compensation claim has been accepted, or
  • a mental injury/illness incurred by a worker* entitled to provisional payments
• the provider is currently registered as a psychologist with WorkSafe
• a medical practitioner has provided a referral for initial treatment
• a medical practitioner reviews the service regularly
  • Further services remain subject to regular review of the injured worker's progress by a medical practitioner.
• the service is in line with the principles of the Clinical Framework

* Eligible Victorian volunteers are also entitled to provisional payments.

Work-related injury

All references to 'work-related injury' on this page may also apply to workers who are entitled to provisional payments on a claim that includes a mental injury.

Family Counselling

WorkSafe will pay for the reasonable costs of family counselling services, up to the maximum statutory amount:

• incurred in Australia
• provided by a medical practitioner, psychologist or social worker currently registered with WorkSafe
• provided upon prior approval from the WorkSafe Agent (agent) or self-insurer
• provided to the family member/s of a worker who has: died as a result of an injury, or sustained a severe injury. A severe injury is an injury which was incurred on or after 1 July 2006, required immediate in-patient treatment at a hospital and meets the definition of a severe injury under the Accident Compensation Act (1985), and
• where the family member is a partner, parent, sibling or child of the worker or of the worker's partner. Parent includes a person who has day to day care and control of the worker

WorkSafe will not pay for:

• Non-attendance/cancellation. WorkSafe will not pay for appointments where injured workers cancel or do not attend.
• Telephone conversations. WorkSafe will not pay for telephone consultations or conversations, either to the injured worker or other related parties (such as the employer, WorkSafe, agents, self-insurers or other healthcare professionals) that do not align with WorkSafe's telehealth policy.
• Treatment or services provided by telephone or other non face to face mediums that do not align with WorkSafe's telehealth policy.
• More than one consultation on the same day. WorkSafe will not pay for more than one psychology consultation provided on the same day to the same injured worker, with the exception of group psychology sessions.
• Provision of more than one allied health service on the same day. Where a psychologist is registered with WorkSafe for more than one allied health service (for example, psychology and remedial massage), WorkSafe will not pay for provision of more than one service type to an injured worker on the same day.

Reporting requirements of psychologists

Information is required by the agent/self insurer and/or employer to assist in the injured worker's return to function and work.

As a provider you must:

• Submit a Psychology treatment notification form (PS604). Completion of the Psychology Treatment Notification Form is required by the treating psychologist by the fifth consultation. This form must be forwarded to the injured worker's employer, agent/self-insurer and treating medical practitioner advising that treatment has commenced and providing information regarding the goals, strategies, and proposed outcomes of treatment. This information assists the treating medical practitioner, employer and the agent/self-insurer to manage the worker's return to function, behaviour and work.
• Submit a Psychology review form (PS109) on request. The Psychology Review Form should only be completed upon request from the agent/self-insurer, employer or WorkSafe.

Suspended from providing services to WorkSafe clients

If WorkSafe gives notice to a provider advising them that they are suspended from providing services to WorkSafe clients, WorkSafe will notify the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency and Medicare Australia of the suspension and the grounds on which the suspension has been issued.