Benaroon Medical Centre

Telehealth

Overview

As part of the Australian Government’s response to coronavirus (COVID-19), new telehealth services are available to reduce the risk of community transmission of COVID-19 and to provide safety and protection to patients and health care professionals.

What is Telehealth?

Telehealth involves the use of communication technology to deliver health services remotely to patients unable to attend face-to-face consultations. These services include telephone or video consultations.

Telehealth consultations are similar to face-to-face consultations and are confidential and secure.

Who is eligible?

Patients will have to meet both requirements to be eligible for telehealth:

  • be eligible for Medicare, and
  • have an established clinical relationship with their GP (only applies to GPs and Other Medical Practitioners (OMPs)). This means having had a face-to-face consultation with the same GP or another practitioner at the same practice in the 12 months before their telehealth consultation.


Patients who do not have Medicare are required to contact us on (02) 9750 2087 before booking to see if they are eligible for telehealth services.

 

What does it cost?

  • For Medicare eligible patients, all phone and video consultations will be bulk-billed and there will be no excess or out-of-pocket payments.
  • For patients who do not have a medicare, our usual billing practices will be applied, providing that they are eligible.
  • Informed financial consent will be obtained prior to commencing the service and details regarding fees will be provided.

What telehealth options are available?

  • Video consultations
  • Phone consultations, where video consultations are unavailable.

What equipment do I need?

Video consultations:

  • A reliable internet connection
  • A private comfortable area
  • A device with camera, microphone and speakers
  • An email address (we will send you a link and instructions to access your consultation)
  • For a guide on joining a video consultation, please find: Telehealth with Skype – Patient Guide

 

Phone consultations:

  • Telephone or mobile
  • Clear connection/service

How do I book a telehealth consultation?

To make an appointment, contact us on (02) 9750 2087.