COVID-19 patients not guaranteed MBS telehealth, say officials

A leading infectious diseases physician has raised concerns patients under isolation orders may lose access to rebates.
Geir O'Rourke
peter collignon
Professor Peter Collingnon.

A COVID-19 diagnosis will not guarantee a patient access to MBS-funded telehealth consults under new restrictions, health officials have confirmed.

Starting next week, patients can only claim the temporary Medicare items for phone and video consultations at practices where they have an “existing relationship” involving face-to-face care in the previous 12 months.