There may be specific instances in which you can claim a Medicare or other rebate for telehealth services, but these are defined by Government, and change from time to time. Your eligibility for this will be determined at the time of your appointment and is at the doctors discretion.

For telehealth only providers, Medicare rebates are generally not available.

For local GPs offering telehealth services, Medicare rebates are generally limited to when you have previously had a face-to-face appointment with the GP performing the service in the last 12 months, with some limited exceptions

Under legislation, the existing relationship requirement does not apply to:

• people with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis (via PCR test or RAT) in the last seven days
• people seeking a request to a private pathologist for PCR testing in relation to COVID-19 (until 31 March 2023). They must be experiencing acute respiratory symptoms and be eligible for Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) criteria for COVID-19 antiviral therapy
• people receiving the telehealth service from a GP at an Aboriginal Medical Service or an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service
• children under 12 months old
• people experiencing homelessness
• people in areas affected by natural disasters (since 11 April 2022).
  
  

Determination of eligibility rests with states’ and territories’ declaration of an affected local government area. Confirming and documenting that this declaration applies to the region the patient is in at the time of the service/s is a suggested requirement for a valid claim of the exemption.

In addition, based on advice provided by the Department of Health and Aged Care, the requirement does not apply to:

• urgent after-hours attendances during unsociable hours
• GP obstetric services
• allied health services provided on behalf of a GP
• pregnancy support
• blood borne viruses, sexual or reproductive health services
• mental health and eating disorder services
• nicotine and smoking cessation counselling services

For more information, please see here.

No Controlled Drugs (also referred to as S8 (Schedule 8) medications such as narcotics) or other drugs of addiction (such as Valium) will be prescribed by the Telehealth service. Schedule 4 drugs which have the potential to cause harm or be misused such as benzodiazepines, duromine, lyrica, zolpidem, zopiclone, quetiapine and high strength codeine will also not be prescribed. These medications require close monitoring by your regular doctor. Refusal of prescription requests for these types of medications will not result in a refund of Telehealth consult.

For a video consult any smartphone or computer with a camera, speaker, and microphone will work. Your telehealth video consult will open in web browser so there’s no need to download any additional software.

If you require a medical certificate it will be sent to you directly via email or SMS as a PDF.

If your doctor is running late the reception staff will call to let you know.