Telehealth - Modernising Medicare by providing rebates for online consultations
From 1 July 2011 people in remote, regional and outer metropolitan areas of Australia will have access to telehealth; an initiative allowing patients to have video consultations with a range of medical specialists. This will provide patients with easier access to specialists, without the time and expense involved in travelling to major cities.
In 2010 the Government announced the Connecting Health Services with the Future: Modernising Medicare by Providing Rebates for Online Consultations initiative. This initiative will:
- commence on 1 July 2011;
- provide Medicare and DVA rebates for telehealth services provided to patients in remote, regional and outer metropolitan areas, and in aged care facilities and eligible Aboriginal Medical Services throughout Australia;
- provide Medicare and DVA rebates for an eligible health care provider to provide clinical services at the patient end of the video consultation; and
- provide financial incentives to encourage the uptake of telehealth services.
Patients in remote, regional and outer metropolitan areas face greater barriers to accessing specialist services than those in city areas. Telehealth helps patients to overcome these barriers; accessing specialist services sooner with lower travel costs, and better continuity of care. For information about eligibility and payments contact the Dept of Human Services.
Consultation
Media
- Media Release (June 2011) - Telehealth Fees Unveiled
- Media Release (November 2010) - Discussion paper release
- Brochure
Providing Telehealth Services
- Clinical Practice
- Technology and Technical Issues
- Program Guidelines
- Telehealth Eligible Areas
- List of Telehealth MBS Items
Information for Patients
Information for Practitioners
- Overview for Medical Specialists
- Overview for Patient-end Practitioners
- Questions and Answers for Specialists
- Questions and Answers for Patient-end Practitioners
Information for Residential Aged Care Facilities
- Overview for Residential Aged Care Facilities
- Questions and Answers for Residential Aged Care Facilities