Bupa is offering its two million members free telehealth consults with doctors, claiming they will avoid hundreds of dollars in gap fees.

The patients will get 24/7 access to “general medical advice, scripts or referrals” with up to three consults a year at no cost.

“This is about making medical care accessible and affordable 24/7 while taking some of the pressure off hospital EDs in the after-hours period,“ says Bupa medical director Dr Simon Benson, a GP.

“As Australians continue to face cost-of-living challenges, we are providing greater value for our customers, with up to three free consultations per person per year … ensuring they receive the right care in the right place at the right time by focusing on quality and safety.”