what is regional telehealth?
Telehealth is “the use of telecommunication techniques for the purpose of providing telemedicine, medical education and health education over a distance”.
This allows easier access to specialists without the time and expense involved in travelling to major cities.
Patients can have Telehealth consultations with their GP, nurse practitioner or even in their own home.
It is usually done via any video conferencing platforms (Skype, Coviu etc).
who CAN access telehealth?
Telehealth is available now available to all Australians in regional and metro areas.
Telehealth attendance is not medicare rebatable for email consultations.
telehealth charges
Regional Telehealth consultations are PRIVATELY charged
Please contact us to enquire further
Cancellation and rescheduling is possible with 48 hours notice. Cancellation fees can be incurred if less than 24 hours notice is given.
Telehealth consent
Even though the specialist and the patient aren’t at the same location during a telehealth video consultation, under section 20A of the Health Insurance Act 1973 the patient's consent is still needed.
There are 3 ways to obtain the patient's consent. This must be completed on the same day of the consultation:
We can send the completed General, Specialist and Diagnostic (assignment of benefit) form (DB4) to the patient to sign
Email agreement from the patient: ** This is our preferred method where possible.
Our Telehealth consultation consent form. Please click the button below to access this form which needs to be faxed/ emailed back to us prior to or immediately after the consultation.
Example of the email we will send:
Dear (patient name)
These are the details of the telehealth consultation to be claimed with Medicare:
Item number: *** . Benefit amount: $**
Telehealth Item number: ***. Benefit amount: $**
Date and time of consultation: ****
Patient name: ***
Provider name: **
Agreement: If you (the patient) agree to the assignment of the Medicare benefit directly to the provider (bulk bill), reply to this email including the following wording:
Yes, I agree to the assignment of the Medicare benefit directly to the provider. From ** (the patient's name or the name of parent or guardian where the patient is unable to sign)
Regards
Preston Medical Specialists
Privacy note:Your personal information is protected by law, including thePrivacy Act 1988, and is collected by the Australian Government Department of Human Services for the assessment and administration of payments and services. This information is required to process your application or claim.