MMA's Patient Support Fund (PSF) subsidises treatment costs for Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy in Australia to support equitable access. 100% of funds in the PSF are used for this purpose.
We have created it to support equitable access to psychedelic treatment in the short term, while we wait for traditional funding sources (such as private health insurance and medicare) to step in.
PSF funding is only available to those who would otherwise be unable to access psychedelic-assisted therapies without this financial support.
Who does the PSF support?
To qualify for the PSF, applicants must demonstrate financial hardship, such as reliance on government benefits, low income, and limited financial support. They must also have a diagnosis of treatment-resistant depression or PTSD with prior treatment failures and approval from an Authorised Prescriber psychiatrist to commence treatment. Priority is given to vulnerable groups and recipients must commit to the full treatment protocol.
MMA's Patient Support Fund (PSF) subsidises treatment costs for Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy in Australia to support equitable access. PSF funding is only available to those who would otherwise be unable access psychedelic-assisted therapies without this financial support. Please find the full eligibility criteria below:
1. Financial Hardship
Individuals living hand to mouth (struggling to afford basic needs like food, rent, and bills).
Receiving government welfare benefits for at least 12 months (e.g., JobSeeker, Disability Support Pension, Youth Allowance, or equivalent).
Annual income below a specific threshold (e.g., below the poverty line or low-income bracket as defined by the ABS).
Limited or no financial support from family or other sources.
2. Medical Necessity & Suitability
Diagnosis of treatment-resistant depression or PTSD (or another qualifying condition where PAT is an appropriate intervention).
Failed multiple standard treatments (e.g., SSRIs, psychotherapy, EMDR, ketamine, etc.).
Screened and approved by an Authorised Prescriber psychiatrist as clinically appropriate for psychedelic-assisted therapy.
3. Social & Community Factors
Vulnerable demographics, including (but not limited to):
Survivors of domestic/sexual violence.
Indigenous Australians.
First responders and veterans.
Women facing financial and social hardship.
Those at high risk of suicide or self-harm due to lack of access to effective care.
People who have exhausted other financial aid options (e.g. private insurance, early release of superannuation access, family support).
The PSF will not reimburse or cover therapy costs if the patient is able to secure the full amount needed for treatment through savings, early release of super, family, friends, or personal loans. However, if the patient has only been able to source part of the required amount, the PSF may contribute towards the remaining balance, subject to eligibility.
4. Commitment & Compliance
Willingness to commit to the full treatment protocol set by the treating psychiatrist.
Be willing to provide feedback to MMA on the outcome of their treatment (to assess impact and improve program efficacy).
How it works:
01
Treatment Suitability
To be eligible to receive funding, a patient must have been screened and deemed appropriate for PAT by an Authorised Prescriber psychiatrist.
02
Application
The treating clinic or psychiatrist must submit an application for PSF funding via the application form.
03
Patient Details and Financial Need
The application must include:
Background information on the patient
Reasons for requesting financial assistance
Confirmation from the AP psychiatrist that the patient cannot access PAT without this support.
04
Review
The application is reviewed by the PSF Committee, which will consider the application based on the information provided and confirmed by the Authorised Prescriber (AP) and Lead Therapist.
05
Provider Partnership
The willingness of the provider to support the treatment is looked upon favourably by
our committee.
06
Approval
If approved, the PSF subsidises up to 50% of the treatment cost, to a maximum of
$10500, per patient.
07
Decision Notification
MMA notifies the clinic of funding confirmation approval or rejection via email within
2 weeks of receiving the application. The clinic then informs the patient of the outcome.
08
Payment Process
The provider invoices MMA for the approved PSF amount. Funds are then paid by MMA
direct to the provider in tranches - a week before each dosing session that is confirmed.
To date we have committed to funding treatment for 9 patients. The total amount committed at the end of December 2024 is over $85,000 AUD. We have also received further funding requests for 2025. Below you can read more about the selected patients.
It is now estimated that one in five Australians are currently suffering from mental illnesses, with far-reaching consequences for society as a whole. Unfortunately, many people find that conventional medication and therapies either don't work, don't work well enough, are unsustainable, or have substantial side-effects. Psychedelic-assisted therapies have shown remarkable results, even for people who have not found relief from numerous other treatments. To give people with mental illness the possibility of accessing regulated psychedelic therapies, we need your help.
By donating to Mind Medicine Australia, you will be helping us to develop a pathway for the use of psychedelic medicines in Australia. With your help we can give hope to those who need it most.
With your support, we can enable a better paradigm for mental health treatment.
Applications that are incomplete, do not comply with the instructions provided in the application form, or are found to have made false or misleading claims are invalid and may will not be accepted for consideration by Mind Medicine Australia.
Assessment and approval of applications
Applying does not guarantee approval of funding. Approval of funding is at the sole discretion of Mind Medicine Australia.
Nothing in the Application Form or your application will be construed as giving rise to any contractual obligations or rights, express or implied, by the issue of this Application Form or PSF Process for Applicants or the submission of an application by you.
If your application is successful, the information provided in the application will form part of a funding agreement to be separately agreed with Mind Medicine Australia. Until confirmation of funding from Mind Medicine Australia you are not eligible for any funding.
