Online Doctors’ Practices that Bulk-Bill

It may have been the pandemic and floods that drove the initial growth in telehealth services Downunder. Still, uptake continues to grow, not least because of support from the Australian Digital Health Agency [1]. Busy lives, long distances to the nearest doctor’s practice, extended wait times, and increasing costs of seeing the doctor in the form of rising petrol, parking, and gap fees are contributing to Australians’ love for digital healthcare. If you cannot afford high doctors’ fees or are feeling the pinch of the cost-of-living crisis, bulk-billing telehealth services are a convenient option. This article will examine their benefits and downsides, as well as provide a comprehensive list of digital doctors to explore.

With so many providers out there, it can be daunting to find one, let alone one that you trust. This is where the government’s Service Finder [2] comes in. You can use it to find General Practitioners (GPs) who offer telehealth services as part of their practice. Most of these will require you to have an appointment once a year to be eligible for their telehealth service, except for concession card holders and after-hours services.

Other online comparison tools, such as MediCompare, may allow you to explore your options in a bit more depth, often providing information on pricing, service quality, user experience, and opening hours.

Digital health services are designed to complement standard doctors’ practices [1], meaning they can help fill the gaps where you may not need a physical examination or cannot get one, for example, for repeat or urgent e-Scripts, referrals, medical certificates, after-hour care, or allergy and asthma plans for childcare settings.

They may also be for you if there are barriers to seeing your GP due to time constraints, reservations about treatment, or problems with attending multiple sessions outside your home. This could be the case if you need assistance to quit smoking, lose weight, tackle anxiety, or obtain a mental health care plan for further treatment.

As mentioned, some practices may require you to attend at least one physical appointment every twelve months to be eligible for bulk billing. A cost-effective way to continue treatment without an in-person assessment is to pay for a monthly subscription with a telehealth provider. Alternatively, check if your employer’s insurance covers telehealth appointments or switch to a private health insurance provider that does.

Alternatively, you could find a telehealth providing GP clinic near you or use bulkbilled after-hours services only. The caveat may be longer waiting times with some providers and a lack of consistent care, as the treating doctor may not have access to your full health records.

As GPs are offering localised telehealth services, which you can find with the Service Finder tool [2], I am limiting this list to nationwide telehealth providers with access to bulk billing. Similar to telehealth GP clinics, wait times may vary, so I encourage you to check current expected wait times with the provider via live chat or phone before booking. For most of the ones below, you will only need your Medicare card, no credit card. Here is a list of some of the providers I have examined for you:

• 13SICK: After-hours bulk-billing service that also organises home visits. Wait times can vary significantly, and customer service is not a high priority. Hours of service: Between 6 pm and 8 am on weekdays and all day on weekends and public holidays.
• Abby Health: 24/7 service that bulkbills some appointments depending on your location and needs. Current wait times are available on their website – you can book a timeslot. Check on Medicare coverage in the booking process.
• Prime Medic: After-hours bulk-billed support for all patients (after 11 pm and before 8 am weekdays, weekends, and public holidays).
• My Telehealth Clinic: Bulk-billed appointments within 15 minutes to two hours (8 am – 9 pm weekdays, 8 am – 6 pm weekends (AEST)), but you pay a gap fee of $13.
• National Telemedicine Doctors: Offers bulk-billed appointments to all patients after-hours (11 pm to 8 am weekdays, before 8 am and after noon Saturdays, and all day Sunday and public holidays). Eligible patients can access bulk billing at all other times, too. Check current wait times when booking.
• Teldoc Australia: Bulk-billed services available every day from 9 am to 7 pm for a range of conditions, including mental health, sexual health, pregnancy, babies, and more. The gap fees are very low, and the service is free for concession card holders. However, it costs $7 for people experiencing homelessness.

Qoctor and some other telehealth sites also offer bulk-billed mental health care plan assessments. You can read my article on MediCompare.

Here are some of the general requirements to have access to bulk-billed telehealth via Medicare [3]. (Not all telehealth services accept concession cards and Medicare cards.}

• Urgent after-hours telehealth consult, generally 11 pm to 8 am weekdays, before 8 am and after noon Saturdays, and all day Sundays and public holidays.
• Mental health service assessment, review, and plans.
• Homelessness due to low income, health care, and social supports.
• Babies under 12 months.
• Patients of a medical practitioner at an Aboriginal Medical Service or an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service.
• Financial hardship.
• Consult relating to blood-borne viruses, sexual or reproductive health.
• In isolation due to a COVID-related State or Territory public health order, or in COVID-19 quarantine because of a State or Territory public health order.
• Patients affected by a natural disaster, defined as living in a local government area declared a natural disaster by a State or Territory government.

While using bulk-billed online services can be a convenient, low-cost option for many health conditions, it is essential to check on wait times and gap fees before you book. I have found the live-chat options on several telehealth websites particularly helpful. If this is not an option, it may be a sign that the service may not be as fast as some competitors.

If you aren’t sure whether your telehealth consults are covered during business hours, check with the provider. Some offer exemptions for those in need of urgent care, especially in regional, rural, or remote areas, or those experiencing hardship.

Most providers offer support options via phone call, video chat, or their app, so you only need a working phone with an Australian number to connect.

[1] https://www.digitalhealth.gov.au/initiatives-and-programs/telehealth
[2] https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/australian-health-services
[3] https://www9.health.gov.au/mbs/search.cfm?q=91900%2C+91903%2C+91906%2C+91910%2C+91913%2C+91916&sopt=I

The content above is for informational purposes only. It does not replace professional medical advice. Contact your primary healthcare professional for guidance and, in case of an emergency, head to your nearest A&E or call 000.