4.5.40 Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) treatment

The PTSD Treatment Program is a 10-12 week mental health outpatient service. WorkSafe can pay the reasonable costs of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)Treatment when required as a result of a work-related An injury/disease is work related if it arose out of or in the course of employment and the scope of employment. injury or illness under Victorian workers compensation legislation.

WorkSafe can pay for the reasonable costs of a medical and like expense where a worker is entitled to provisional payments on a claimed mental injury.

See: 6.5 Provisional payments for a mental injury

Policy

Refer to policy for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder including information about:

what WorkSafe will and will not pay for
who can provide services
where to obtain further information.

See: Costs WorkSafe pays | Reasonable costs

Other policies

Other policies related to PTSD Treatment include:

Prior approval

Prior written approval is required before Agents can pay the following components of a PTSD treatment program.

Pre-Program Psychological Assessment - when requested by a medical practitioner in writing.

PTSD Treatment Program - if the worker has undertaken a Pre-Program Psychological Assessment.

Partner & Family Support Module - for a partner or another first degree relative of the worker participating in a PTSD Treatment Program, on the recommendation of the provider

Accommodation - for a worker who is participating in a PTSD treatment program.

Claims management process

Follow these steps when assessing a request for the PTSD treatment program.

Step	Agent action
Receive request	The referral must be made by a worker’s treating medical practitioner that includes current diagnosis.
Review request to determine if a pre-program psychological assessment is required	The pre-program psychological assessment determines the worker’s suitability for the program. For suitable workers, the Agent can approve up to three hours for the pre-program psychological assessment by the PTSD group treatment provider to determine suitability for the program. In deciding whether to approve the assessment, consider: any supporting information on the file obtaining further information (eg report) from the treating medical practitioner, psychologist or psychiatrist where appropriate a Medical Advisor referral where appropriate. Notify the worker, the referring medical practitioner and the PTSD program provider of the decision. The provider must send the report to the Agent within 15 working days of conducting the assessment.
Determine liability	Following the assessment, discuss the provider's recommendation in the pre-program psychological assessment report with a suitably qualified person. Send program acceptance letter or program rejection letter to the worker. Where the PTSD treatment program is not recommended, the PTSD treatment provider should liaise with THP regarding other options.

Step

Agent action

Receive request

The referral must be made by a worker’s treating medical practitioner that includes current diagnosis.

Review request to determine if a pre-program psychological assessment is required

The pre-program psychological assessment determines the worker’s suitability for the program. For suitable workers, the Agent can approve up to three hours for the pre-program psychological assessment by the PTSD group treatment provider to determine suitability for the program. In deciding whether to approve the assessment, consider:

any supporting information on the file
obtaining further information (eg report) from the treating medical practitioner, psychologist or psychiatrist where appropriate
a Medical Advisor referral where appropriate.

Notify the worker, the referring medical practitioner and the PTSD program provider of the decision.

The provider must send the report to the Agent within 15 working days of conducting the assessment.

Determine liability

Following the assessment, discuss the provider's recommendation in the pre-program psychological assessment report with a suitably qualified person.

Send program acceptance letter or program rejection letter to the worker.

Where the PTSD treatment program is not recommended, the PTSD treatment provider should liaise with THP regarding other options.

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