This week, Bupa revealed its offering 24/7 access to free telehealth consults, with patients able to secure prescriptions and referrals without having to see their own GP.

Sold as a “cost-of-living health measure”, the insurer said some two million of its members will be eligible for three telehealth bookings a year through its digital health platform, called Blua.
 
The RACGP says it’s sceptical of the company’s intentions, with one college spokesman claiming it has been done “because it looks like a very good investment for them to be seen to be delivering a service”.

Earlier this week, AusDoc spoke with Bupa’s medical director, Dr Simon Benson, about the service and why Bupa is not funding the patient’s own GP to provide care.

AusDoc: What do you expect the doctors who provide these telehealth consults to be doing? The media release talks about writing scripts and making referrals.