Choosing the Best Monthly Telehealth Subscription

What Kind of Telehealth Providers Offer Monthly Subscription Models?

The current range of telehealth providers relevant for this article can be broadly divided into premium services offering the same comprehensive services as a good GP, basic virtual medical support sites, mainly focused on medical certificates and e-Scripts, and telehealth offered by some of the major private health funds.

One way telehealth is transforming access to medical services is through the use of monthly subscription models. Some big players have bought into the telehealth market recently, meaning a greater focus on comprehensive options with a higher level of service delivery available [2], even including services that let you choose a specific GP (instead of assigning a random doctor based on availability).

Unlike private healthcare in itself, which is designed to bridge the gap between visiting your family doctor and paying for specialist services or needs, telehealth subscriptions offer a broad range of services, often at a cost lower than the gap fee for a standard doctor’s consultation. But with private health funds now also providing some of the telehealth options, it may be worthwhile checking if your fund offers virtual doctor appointments.

You can also find after-hours access to bulk-billed sessions on some of the sites, but I’ll cover this in another article. Importantly, all telehealth services are now required to provide synchronous doctor’s consultations for their services, meaning you have to have a video or phone call with an Australian doctor to access any service, from medical certificates over e-Scripts to referral letters or specialised care [1].

Here’s how to choose the best telehealth subscription provider for you:

1. Define Your Healthcare Needs and Other Requirements:

Be clear about your needs before subscribing. Are you looking for anything specialised, such as access to pediatric care, weight loss programs, quitting smoking, menopausal health, or the like? These services are usually only available through more comprehensive telehealth providers, such as those backed by a private health fund, like 13Sick [3].

If a more basic service covers your needs, as you frequently need repeat scripts or medical certificates, a low-cost provider will do. How important is it for you that the service has extended opening hours? If this is high on your list, perhaps you could trial one of the bulk-billing after-hour services and pay separately for any consultations during business hours.

If you frequently need medication delivered to you promptly, you’ll want a service offering 2-hour delivery with good customer reviews.

All of these factors should be considered when selecting a provider, allowing you to use a tool like MediCompare to find your best option.

2. Evaluate Subscription Packages and Providers:

Check the monthly cost of each telehealth subscription site thoroughly. Some have hidden fees for priority service, peak consultations, or same-day medication delivery. You want to make sure you are aware of what your subscription covers. Plus, are there any add-ons you can access for free, such as bulk-billed mental health plans provided directly by the site?

Important factors can be services that add value, even if they are only available at a premium, such as weight loss programs, free fitness app access, or 24/7 access to care.

Ease of use and customer support are other important factors when choosing the right service for you. If you plan to use a provider regularly, you should be able to access the service easily, for example, through a mobile app, and be assured that any problems or concerns will be addressed promptly. Some sites are better at following up with patients through follow-up calls by nurses, a pharmacy concierge service (where they arrange to have your scripts filled by a pharmacy of your choice and delivered as well as monitored). Just like choosing a GP, choosing your regular telehealth provider comes down to a higher level of service and assurance than with others.

While it may not be at the top of your mind, privacy and data security should be among the factors you consider. Some low-cost providers may skimp on the appropriate level of protection or fund their business through sharing some of your data with third parties (unrelated to the immediate needs of your health care appointments).

3. Compare Pricing and Value:

When choosing the right provider for your needs, it comes down to what’s most important for you. With prices between providers varying little for basic subscription models, focus on whether you are most likely to achieve the outcome you want. If the subscription model is cheaper than a one-off consultation, you may want to consider giving it a shot for a month. Alternatively, you could try a single consultation with your top two or three providers to see which one hits the mark best in terms of speed, level of assistance provided, and the overall impression you get from the doctor. Some private health funds also offer

Here is a sample list of telehealth sites offering subscription models:

Updoc

This provider was until recently focused on more basic offerings but now has three monthly subscription options from Updoc Plus for $19.95/month which includes only basic services, over Updoc Pro for $39.95/month which gives you access to most services, and Updoc Platinum for $79.95/month, which includes their new weightloss program.

13SICK

This is Australia's largest Medicare-funded after-hours service, giving you free access to telehealth and outcall appointments via bulk-billing [3].

One Medical Australia

A more comprehensive service that has a similar three-tier system, offering Basic Care for $39/month, Standard Care for $79/ month, and Premium Care for $99 [4]. It also works with many health funds, so check if you may be eligible for (cheaper) access through your fund.

Blua

Bupa’s digital healthcare solution provides eligible members with access to popular telehealth services, including virtual doctor consultations and pharmacy services. As a premium member, costs can vary significantly [5], but you can combine private healthcare with digital access.

HubHealth

This telehealth provider’s HubPass subscription costs $45/month, which includes some free and discounted services [6]. NIB health fund members also gain access to a comprehensive and award-winning telehealth service, which offers a broader range than most other providers. It offers reproductive care, as well as specialised care for women and men, for example.

Summary

While there are many Australian telehealth providers, only a select number offer subscription models. It is worth investigating whether your private health fund already grants you access to one or which service fits the gap between your primary doctor and your additional needs for online care after hours, remotely, basic healthcare, or comprehensive programs. As Medical Board Australia chair Dr Anne Tonkin AO puts it: “Telehealth is here to stay. It plays an important role in healthcare in Australia and has opened great opportunities to improve access to and delivery of care.” [1]

Finding what works best for you requires a bit of research and perhaps some trial and error, but there sure is an optimal solution to cover all your healthcare needs.

How to Choose the Best Monthly Telehealth Subscription