Govt dumps COVID-19 ‘hotspot’ exemption for telehealth
Patients isolating under public health orders will still be able to claim telehealth irrespective of a pre-existing relationship with the GP
Patients in areas of high COVID-19 transmission have lost automatic eligibility for Medicare-funded telehealth, with exemptions to the ‘existing relationship’ rule no longer applying in COVID-19 hotspot areas.
Commonwealth-designated hotspots covered all of NSW between August and October last year, along with the ACT and much of Victoria and Tasmania.
The other exemptions that remain include MBS telehealth consults covering sexual and reproductive health, smoking cessation and mental health counselling.
Children under 12 months old, the homeless, patients of Aboriginal medical services, and consults during unsociable hours between 11pm and 7am are also excluded from the rule.
