Telehealth services extended

Millions of Australians will be able to continue talking to their doctor virtually, with the federal government set to extend financial support for telehealth services until December 31.

More than 54 million telehealth services were completed between March 13, 2020 and March 31, 2021. Health Minister Greg Hunt said the extension is a recognition that telehealth played an important role over the past year. With funding due to have ended on June 30, many health specialists had called for the plan to be extended. The present announcement suggests that anyone seeking support from their GP, allied health provider or specialist will be able to do so via the phone or video conference until end of the year.

This includes mental health and midwife appointments, as well as nurse practitioner check-ups.

Telehealth was set up to virtually connect people in regional areas to medical specialists in the city so they did not have to travel hours for appointments.

But during the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government injected billions of dollars into the system to allow anyone to book a phone consult or video conference appointment.

About 13.5 million patients took advantage of the scheme, costing the government $2.8 billion in Medicare benefits.

Health Minister Greg Hunt said the extension is a recognition by government that telehealth has played an important role in supporting many people over the past year.

“The extensions will ensure that Australians can continue to see their GP, renew scripts and seek mental health support from the safety of their own home,” he said.

Medical specialists have argued the benefits outweigh the costs and Black Dog Institute acting director Professor Sam Harvey said allowing all patients access to telehealth provides essential flexibility.

The mental health sector is hopeful the government will go one step further and make telehealth services for all patients permanent.

Professor Harvey pointed to a review by the Productivity Commission into mental health that recommended Telehealth services should be permanent for anyone who seeks psychological therapy or psychiatric treatment — regardless of where they live.

About 13.5 million patients have taken advantage of the telehealth scheme.

“We’ve got the economists who wrote the productivity report saying that this is something that should be made permanent, we’ve got mental health professionals saying it, it just seems common sense.”