Telehealth has played a critical role in ensuring the continuity of care for hundreds of thousands of Australian patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. It has offered greater flexibility to health care, while supporting universal Medicare access. Show
As part of our response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we expanded Australians’ access to telehealth in March 2020 to reduce the risk of community transmission. We did this through temporary MBS telehealth items. As of 1 January 2022, MBS Telehealth arrangements have become ongoing. The permanent arrangements will:
Building on the pandemic response, more than 200 telehealth services have been made permanently available. These changes mean MBS video and telephone services are available nationally from GPs, medical specialists, and other health professionals. From 19 July 2022, new temporary telehealth items have been introduced that provide for longer phone consultations for patients who have received a positive COVID-19 test (RAT or PCR). Medicare benefits will recognise when a longer medical assessment by phone is required to assess whether antivirals should be prescribed, equivalent to face-to-face and video services of the same duration. Millions of Australians are now eligible to access antivirals on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), but they need to start taking the medication within five days of symptoms. Following a COVID-19 positive diagnosis, eligible people can have a telephone or video consultation with a doctor to obtain a prescription for antivirals. Patients who have a confirmed case of COVID-19 and are subject to self-isolation requirements can access telehealth from any GP, including for assessment of their suitability for oral antiviral medications. The items will remain on the MBS until 31 December 2022. For more information on new MBS items, see MBS Online. Who can receive telehealth servicesTelehealth services are available nationally. To be eligible for GP telehealth services patients must have had a face-to-face consultation with their GP or another GP in the same practice, in the 12 months before the telehealth service. There are some limited exceptions, including patients who are subject to isolation or quarantine due to state or territory COVID-19 public health orders. Who can provide telehealth servicesA range of healthcare providers can deliver telehealth services to patients. These include:
MBS Online lists the types of health care professionals and services for which there are Medicare rebates. Electronic prescribingWe fast-tracked electronic prescribing as part of our pandemic response. These systems are now in place in many practices and pharmacies across Australia. See the Australian Digital Health Agency for information about electronic prescribing for healthcare providers. We introduced image-based prescribing at the start of the pandemic, while electronic prescribing systems were being developed. Image-based prescriptions (a photo of a paper prescription) will no longer be legal in community pharmacy settings after 31 March 2022. Prescriptions with repeats written before then will continue to be honoured until the prescription runs out or expires. Limited image-based prescribing activities may continue for prescriptions written for hospital patients. A prescription written for a hospital patient can be lawfully dispensed by a hospital pharmacy. This arrangement for will only extend until 31 March 2023. Home delivery for medicinesThe COVID-19 Home Medicines Service ended on 30 June 2022. The temporary measure enabled eligible Australians to have their Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme medicines home delivered. For information, see the data for the COVID-19 Home Medicines Service.
If you live in rural or remote Australia — or if your journey across town is just difficult because of your accessibility requirements — getting medical treatment can mean travelling for hours. It can also be complex, as well as costly. With good planning and maybe some assistance, if available, you can reduce these travel burdens. Ask your doctor or healthcare professional about telehealth, for example, and other alternatives to travelling for specialist care. Plan ahead for your time awayIf you work, attend school or have other routine commitments, let your manager or teacher know you will be away. They may need to find someone to cover your absence. If you care for a child or someone else, you may need to arrange for their care while you are away. You may also need to continue this extra support after your return and recovery. For routine household tasks, consider asking a friend or family member to:
Remember to take everything you need to your appointment. This includes important items such as details of medication or dietary supplements you are taking, test results, x-rays and scans, or medical reports. Think about your accessibility needsConsider your support and accessibility needs for your travel, stay and recovery. Ask yourself these questions: Am I well enough to travel alone? Will I need a carer or escort? Will I need extra help on my trip home? What are my access requirements? Will my travel choices and accommodation suit my needs before and after medical treatment? Can my transport provider accommodate any equipment I need, such as a wheelchair? More information:
Organise care for after your treatmentWell before your treatment, think about what information your carers will need. Ask your doctor about your recovery time and support needs. Ask what support is available. You might be eligible for home support services, depending on your state, age and health. Read more about care options here:
If you are living with a specific health condition or disability, you may be able to get more detailed information from groups or associations that support Australians with that condition. Financial assistance for travel for healthcareOut-of-pocket accommodation costs and travel expenses can quickly add up. There is help at hand, however, to ease this financial burden. Patient Assisted Travel Schemes (PATS)All states and territories have Patient Assisted Travel Schemes (PATS) to help patients in rural and remote Australia with the costs of travel for specialist treatment. Rules and amounts vary, but all PATS schemes help cover:
Some schemes also provide for:
Read about PATS support in your state or territory: Private health insurers now offer travel and accommodation benefits under hospital cover. These private health insurance benefits generally cover:
Not all health funds offer these benefits. If you have a health fund, check your policy to see what is included. Be aware that cover varies between health funds and policies. The following organisations may offer assistance with travel for healthcare: These organisations provide assistance with accommodation:
Read more here about rural and remote health services and support. Alternatives to travelYou might be able to avoid travelling for medical treatment or care, thanks to advances in healthcare delivery. Telehealth servicesTelehealth services use videoconferencing technology so you can talk with a healthcare professional via your computer, tablet or phone and see their image on the screen. When required, they can record video, audio and clinical information and forward it securely to a clinic where medical specialists can study it and provide an opinion. Telehealth services can even be used to remotely monitor patients’ vital signs (such as pulse rate) and other health measures. Telehealth services save travel time and costs, and can be a less stressful option than travelling a long distance for healthcare. Many are covered by Medicare benefits in eligible areas of rural, regional and remote Australia. In the longer term, telehealth can also play a part in supporting people with chronic conditions to manage their health. Video Call, developed by Healthdirect Australia, allows healthcare providers to conduct video consultations. The private and secure service connects you with your healthcare professional from home, work, or wherever it is most convenient, using your smartphone, tablet or desktop computer. Telehealth services can also be a convenient way for carers or interpreters to get involved in healthcare conversations. Other alternatives to travelling for healthcareDepending on your needs, consider asking your healthcare team if you can:
Read more about healthcare options and Australia's healthcare system. If you have a long or difficult journey to reach your doctor, it is especially important to be well prepared so you can make the most of your visit. See healthdirect’s online Question Builder for help putting together the questions you will need to ask. Last reviewed: March 2021 |
Method allowing a patient to confirm or cancel an appointment remotely
Pos Terkait
Copyright © 2024 kemunculan Inc.
