Cheaper telehealth brought back for millions of Australians in big Medicare changes

A big change to Medicare could result in cheaper doctor appointments for millions of Australians.

Cheaper visits to GPs and increased access to telehealth is on the cards under major changes to Medicare.

A free service called ‘MyMedicare’, launched earlier this month, will allow patients to formally register their preferred doctor’s clinic and GP, and to receive rebates on the cost of a telehealth appointment with that doctor.

The voluntary scheme only applies to clinics that have also registered and has restored telehealth rebates for remote GP consultations longer than 20 and 40 minutes.

Starting 2024, the scheme will offer payments for doctors who regularly visit aged care residents and patients who frequently attend hospitals who are registered with MyMedicare.

Last year, the government scrapped Medicare rebates for longer telehealth appointments.

Costs will vary depending on what specific GPs choose to charge, however, it will mean on average Medicare will cover around half of eligible teleheath consultation fees.

MyMedicare is open to anyone with a Medicare card or a Department of Veterans‘ Affairs card and eligible patients can register online or in person at their preferred clinic.

The new service was officially introduced on October 1 and will gradually roll out more benefits over the next three years, according to the government.

Only about 40 per cent of GP clinics across Australia have registered to MyMedicare.

Mark Butler pledged a ‘major revamp’ of primary care after the government pledged $750 million to overhaul Medicare in 2023. Picture: Martin Ollman/NCANewsWire.

Health Minister Mark Butler said the changes would provide more tailored care and “better serve the needs of patients that fall through the cracks.”

“Patients registered for MyMedicare will gain a stronger relationship with their healthcare teams and more consistent care, including longer telehealth consultations,” he said.

“This important reform will also secure the sustainability and efficiency of general practice for the future.”

From November 1, the government will also triple the bulk-billing incentive for doctors treating vulnerable patients, including children and people who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.