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AAP
AAP
National
Stephanie Gardiner

UNBELIEVABLE: Red tape delays mental health care for rural aussies - The Untold Story

Changes to Medicare have inadvertently created barriers to treatment for some rural Australians. (David Mariuz/AAP PHOTOS)

Rural Australians are delaying mental health care or going to emergency departments in crisis after changes to Medicare inadvertently created barriers to treatment.

The changes, which came into effect in November 2025, require patients to see a GP at least once a year to access mental health care via telehealth.

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