Universal Telehealth in Australia Begins Today - Here's What You Need To Know

in ,

"Universal Telehealth" was announced by Australian Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt yesterday. That means from today, we're all eligible for bulk-billed Medicare telehealth consults in Australia.

Telehealth = over the phone, or over video call eg. Skype, FaceTime, Zoom, WhatsApp. This is really useful for things like appointments to follow up on blood results; counselling; referrals; anything that doesn't require a physical examination. You may be already using Telehealth, whether you’re a clinician practicing it for remote patients; or as a patient who’s received care online or over the phone.

You may still need to attend in person if the doctor needs to examine a lump, excise a melanoma, or other condition.

GPs, Specialists, Midwives, Psychologists, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers, Social Workers- a range of providers are able to do this (if they choose to), saving you the visit to a clinic, and saving the healthcare worker the added exposures from them going to clinic or seeing more patients in person in an era when we're all social distancing and at risk of bringing #COVID19 home to our loved ones (and lacking Personal Protective Equipment to protect ourselves).

This also helps vulnerable healthcare workers #workfromhome or from other safe, protected premises so the 70-year-old specialist with diabetes for example could continue working safely if they wish.

The ABC has a great article for patients.

Many providers are also offering privately-billed Telehealth consults for those items that are not covered by Medicare, such as Physio and Dietitian consults for non-eating-disorder-related conditions. Your clinic or provider will be able to inform you.

Healthcare workers, check your indemnity covers Telehealth- it should. A phone call or visit to your indemnity provider's website will help.

Also, be aware of the privacy of free software. As mentioned on Avant: "The Department of Health has noted that free versions of these applications (i.e. non-commercial versions) may not meet applicable laws for security and privacy. You should check whether the platform you wish to use complies with Australian privacy and security laws. You can do this by asking the vendor or checking the vendor’s website."

Grateful to the Australian government and to EVERYONE who campaigned hard for this, including the Australian Medical Association​, RACGP, RACP, RACS and other colleges, and healthcare workers and community groups nationwide.

For insights from the Australian Telehealth Conference; read our post here!

For insights from New Zealand healthcare workers from telehealth, including Virtual Ward Rounds, read our article here.