In response to COVID-19, the Department of Health has released temporary Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) and Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) item numbers to allow GPs, nurses, and mental health professionals to continue providing care to their patients via telehealth.

 The range of services general practitioners can provide via telehealth (video conference) has grown to include mental health treatment, chronic disease management, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health assessments, as well as services to people with eating disorders, pregnancy support counselling, services to patients in aged care facilities, children with autism, and after-hours consultations. The scope of these Medicare-subsidised telehealth services have also been expanded to include all Australians, not just those in quarantine or at risk due to COVID-19.

 To assist your practice to implement these new items, COORDINARE has partnered with healthdirect Australia to provide access to their Video Call platform in free of charge. If you do not currently have a telehealth platform or would like any information or support, please contact COORDINARE's Digital Health team at digitalhealth@coordinare.org.au or call 1300 069 002.

• the RACGP has developed Guidelines for Telehealth Consultations for general practices to reference when implementing video consultations
• the Department of Health has developed a quick telehealth guide for general practice
• while development is underway on electronic prescribing, the Department of Health has released interim prescribing arrangements for patients to receive medicines via telehealth services.

Digital health