With telehealth now a permanent offering post-pandemic, there has been an increased shift towards electronic consultations with these requiring the same time as in-person consults, yet when they are bulk billed the doctor accepts less than half their usual fee.
In order to continue to focus on quality, a desire to allocate appropriate time and significant cost inflation makes universal bulk billing for telehealth consultations is no longer possible.
Telehealth (telephone consultations) will now be charged the same fee as an in clinic consultation (this fee will not be charged for concession card holders, DVA or children aged 16 and under). When your telehealth consultation is finished, your doctor will transfer you back to reception and they can take payment over the phone. Your invoice will then be sent onto Medicare for your appropriate refund. Your doctor will advise reception if they require any change to this policy for your consultation.
