We get asked all the time, ‘Can my therapist charge me for travel, and if so, how much?? In short, the answer is yes, and the amount can differ depending on what you agree to before you start services. This resource sets out:
- Labour Costs (cost of their time while they are travelling). This includes:
- travelling to your appointment andor
- returning to their usual place of business afterwards (Note: return travel cannot be charged if you are the last appointment of the day and your therapist is going home after your appointment)
- Non-Labour Costs:
- kilometers travelled
- other costs associated with the travel such as tolls and parking
Why are Therapists charging me for travel?
Therapists charge you travel time so that YOU have access to therapy WHEN and WHERE you need it.
Remember that you don’t HAVE to agree to pay travel fees – this is your choice. It gives you options that are more convenient or suitable to you. It’s unlikely that a Therapist would rather be driving than delivering their service, so this will only happen when needed to offer you the service.
- 30 minutes in MMM1-3 areas (most participants fall into this MMM area as it includes major cities, inner regional and some outer regional)
- 60 minutes in MMM4-5 areas (regional and remote areas)
- Find your MMM region by entering your address here
- Kilometres or distance travelled
- Other forms of transport or associated costs, such as road tolls, parking, public transport fares, up to the full amount.
- Ask your provider BEFORE you start services: Confirm how much travel will cost for EACH session before you sign your Service Agreement. Your Service agreement will outline the terms of any travel costs.
- Find a therapist close to your location so you can get more therapy and spend less on their travel.
- Check your invoices: It is your responsibility to ensure you have been charged correctly. If you have a plan manager they may not know if that session was provided at home or in clinic so make sure to review your invoices regularly.
- Check the time billed on your invoices – with the new 10 minute intervals, this should be easier. Not all sessions will be 1 hour.
- Collaborate with people in your area to share the travel costs of a single therapist.
- Travel to the clinic or office when available – if suitable try do some sessions at the clinic so you don’t have to pay ANY travel costs.
- Consider Teletherapy if there are no therapists near you – give it ago, it’s not just a video call. Therapists use specific methods to engage with patients online.
