Govt offers ‘short-term fix’ for telehealth bulk-billing headache
The RACGP stressed it was a stopgap measure as GPs waited for legislative change.
The RACGP says the administrative headache of written consent forms for bulk-billed telehealth appointments will ease slightly with digital forms that integrate practice software.
Medicare infuriated GPs last month with guidance that said patients had to either consent to bulk-billing for telehealth consults over email or, if they consented verbally, GPs had to fill out forms and send copies to the patient.
It led to warnings that GPs would stop bulk-billing vulnerable patients for telehealth consultations because of the extra work involved.
The RACGP now says the Department of Health and Aged Care has committed to introducing digital versions of forms DB4E and DB20 this week.
