GPs will gain access to four new Medicare items for telehealth consults with patients in remote areas, under an update to the MBS that will take effect on Friday.

From 1 November, doctors will be able to claim the new items 2461, 2463, 2464 and 2465 to conduct regular consultations with patients in areas classified as Modified Monash Model (MMM) 6 and 7.

The items will have the same clinical requirements and rebates as standard attendance items — for instance, item 2463 will be the telehealth equivalent of a level B consult (item 23), applying to consults less than 20 minutes and worth $38.20 (see box).

Federal Minister for Health Greg Hunt said the changes would be worth $45.5 million over three years from the 2019/20 financial year.