Specialists can now offer Medicare-subsidised phone and video consultations to any patient in Australia regardless of whether they are considered at risk of COVID-19.

On Monday, the Federal Government introduced Medicare items for specialist telehealth consultations, along with phone and video consults with GPs and allied health providers.

The consultations can be with a patient anywhere in the country, with item descriptors and rebates that mirror those for regular consultations.

At present, they must be bulk-billed, although health officials have promised to introduce changes by the end of the week to allow private fees for all but concessional patients.