What is Telehealth?

Telehealth means a digital consultation with an online doctor by text message, chat, phone or video. The world is moving rapidly to digital first consultations often described as “virtual first” healthcare. Virtual care or Telehealth is a simple, safe and convenient way for patients to access healthcare no matter where they live. No more waiting for weeks to see your GP or spending hours sitting in an emergency department. With a Telehealth appointment, you can talk to a doctor from the convenience and privacy of your home often within the hour. Telehealth is now mainstream and the most convenient way for patients to access safe, instant healthcare. For Australians living in rural and remote areas or outer metropolitan areas where there are shortages of GPs,  Telehealth is helping patients get safe and convenient healthcare which would otherwise have been difficult to access due to wait times and long travel distances. It has been transformative for Australian healthcare.

Types of Care You Can Get With Telehealth

Prescription Renewals

Express consultations for common conditions like urinary tract infections, dental infections and common colds

Covid antiviral and home care advice

Medical certicates for work, school or university

Mental health treatment for conditions such as depression and anxiety, including referrals for online psychology

Smoking cessation consultations

How Does Telehealth Work?

How does a Telehealth appointment work?

The online consultation will occur by phone or video. You will be sent a video link in your appointment confirmation. All you need to do is:

• • Find a private, quiet space to have the consultation in your home, office or car.
  • Open the appointment confirmation email that you received on your phone or tablet.
  • Click the link about 5 minutes prior to your appointment. Check that your audio and video settings are correct for your device and are working (tip: headsets can be a bit tricky, check the OPTIONS setting on the video link).
  • Wait for the doctor to join the link! It’s that simple.

How to Set Up a Telehealth Appointment

Make an online doctor booking. Simply choose the doctor, day and time of the consultation.

You can also choose the type of consultation. For example a General Consultation, Weight Loss Consultation or Smoking Cessation Consultation.

Enter in your details as part of the online booking process. The medical clinic uses this to create a private and secure medical record in the practice management system.

Is Telehealth Free?

In Australia you will need to pay a private fee (Prices are typically around $35-$45)  for a telehealth consultation with an online doctor.

Bulk Billed Telehealth

If your regular local GP offers telehealth services, they may be able to bulk bill this. Call your local medical clinic to find out.

Familiarising Yoursef With the Telehealth 12 Month Rule

GPs in Australia can only provide medicare rebatable Telehealth consultations when they have an existing relationship with a patient (known as the 12-month rule).

This means patients are eligible for a medicare rebate for a Telehealth consult if they have seen a doctor within the same bricks and mortar medical practice at least once in the preceding 12 months.

This does not apply to online medical clinics – no medicare rebate is available even if you have seen the online GP multiple times within 12 months.

Types of Telehealth Doctors You Can See

Most health care practitioners are now providing telehealth services for their patients. This includes:

General Practitioners

Covid Care and Respiratory Clinics

Emergency Doctors

Specialists and Physcians

Surgeons

Psychiatrists

Psychologists

Allied health professionals such as physiotherapists, dieticians and diabetes educators

Nurse Practitioners

Pharmacists (Find a pharmacy)

It’s the safest way for your health practitioner to provide virtual first care while maintain safety for you, medical centre staff and other patients.

Can I Get A Script On Telehealth?

Online prescriptions

Fast online prescriptions are the easiest way to have your regular medication prescriptions renewed.

• • Choose the medication category of your regular medication. For example, for an antidepressant, choose the MENTAL HEALTH category.
  • Select or enter the name and dosage of your regular medication. For example, Sertraline 100mg.
  • Enter important safety information for the doctor including your allergies, current medications and current medical conditions.
  • Answer all the important safety questions.
  • Confirm all the information is correct and submit your request.
  • A doctor will review all the information you have provided and may call or text you to gather more information.
  • Your prescription, if approved, will be renewed and sent to your electronically by SMS instantly.
  • You can get your medication delivered within 60 minutes using Medmate Pharmacy Delivery.

Get essential home medications delivered following your Telehealth consult, including prescription medications and home care products.

Telehealth Medical Certificate – Can I Get One?

It’s important when you are unwell to stay at home until you recover so you don’t spread germs to your co-workers. Online doctors understand that it’s safer and more convenient for you to request a medical certificate online to save you the hassle of attending a medical centre in-person. Fill in a simple questionnaire to make it easy for the doctor to assess your current illness. The doctor may call you to get some more information and provide some helpful advice. Medical Certificates can be sent quickly and securely to your email address. So skip the hassle and risk of a face to face appointment when you are sick – see an online doctor for your medical certificate and stay in bed all day to get better quickly.

Book a Telehealth Appointment

Sometimes it’s easier to talk to an online doctor from the comfort and safety of your own home. With Medmate Telehealth you will be speaking with registered Aussie doctors via online video or by phone. It’s quick, safe, and convenient.

Choose a date and time for video chat or audio-only. Then find a quiet place and talk to an online doctor in confidence and privacy. Appointments are available 7 days a week.