The Australian Government is investing $106 million over 4 years to support permanent telehealth services. This will allow GPs, specialists, and allied health professionals to continue consulting with their patients by phone or online.
Since March 2020 telehealth has ensured continuity of care during the COVID-19 pandemic, protecting the health of both patients and health professionals. Telehealth will continue to offer greater and more flexible access to health care.
Some telehealth services are changing to align with evidence and expert advice. This will ensure patients receive high quality and high value telehealth as part of the range of Medicare services they use.
From 1 January 2022:
- Eligible patients can continue to access GPs, specialists, nursing, midwifery and allied health services via telehealth.
- People living in remote regions of Australian can access an extended GP telephone consultation item.
- Specialist and consultant physician telehealth services will be consolidated into a single national program.
Patients who are interested in telehealth should ask their health care providers about their eligibility when booking their next consultation.
Learn more about telehealth.
