Telehealth (video and phone consultations) became a permanent part of Medicare after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Key rules:
- For most Medicare GP telehealth services, the patient must have an established clinical relationship with the practice, generally meaning they have been seen face-to-face there in the previous 12 months. There are exemptions (for example children under 12 months and patients of Aboriginal Medical Services).
- Video is preferred to phone for many services; some longer consultations are available only by video.
- Specialist telehealth consultations are widely used for rural patients.
Good telehealth practice:
- Confirm the patient's identity and location (important if an emergency happens).
- Ensure privacy on both ends.
- Know when a physical examination is essential and bring the patient in.
- Document that the consultation was by telehealth.
Remember that electronic prescriptions, pathology requests and referrals can all be sent digitally. Rural patients benefit most from telehealth, but it does not replace hands-on assessment when red flags are present.