Telehealth providers offering GP consultations

Introduction

Not only do most General Practitioners (GPs) now offer telehealth options, but private telehealth providers also give you access to GPs after hours. I’ve reviewed many of them for MediCompare. If you’re wondering how to find a good private provider, what to watch out for, and how to access bulk billing, read on.

Key Factors to Consider

While you may be spoilt for choice, it’s essential to thoroughly research any provider you use.

1. Not all of them offer consultations with GPs; some offer consultations with AHPRA-registered doctors or nurse practitioners. While these are also highly skilled, they cannot provide the same level of care as a GP. Some services use ambiguous wording.
2. Consulting hours vary hugely. Again, check carefully what the provider specifies as both consultation and customer service hours. A frequent problem for users is that customer service isn’t available when there are problems with the consult, script, medical certificate, or other service.
3. Plain and simple pricing can be a signifier of a transparent and trustworthy provider. Make sure you check on any hidden surcharges for after-hour services or extended consults. Bulk-billing is sometimes available.
4. Check what system requirements there are, if any. The service should match your preferences, for example, if you prefer using your computer and have a consult via video link, or if you prefer to have the call on your phone.

Most providers offering virtual consultations with GPs advertise this prominently on their website, but a notable few will not show up on general Google searches. Even when you go to their website, it can sometimes be hard to quickly check whether they offer bulk-billing. This is where MediCompare comes in. Offering independently researched and fact-checked reviews of most providers, you can browse each service and decide which one works best for you. Here are a few of the providers offering GP consultations:

Prime Medic, Our Sage, Instant Consult, 13SICK, 24-7 Medcare, and GP2U all offer GP consultations. Some other providers have specialised or experienced doctors, including some GPs, but you may not be able to choose your treating doctor’s qualifications.

Bulkbilling: Generally speaking, access to bulk billing for telehealth consultations is mainly limited to the providers you have visited in person in the last 12 months, but there are some exceptions [1]. Some private telehealth services offer some or all of the following via Medicare: mental health care assessments and plans, consults for infants, repeat scripts, consults for concession card holders, and after-hour consultations.

Consultations vs Questionnaire-Based Services: Telehealth is already missing in-person assessments, so Australian medical bodies highly recommend video calls where possible, phone consultations as a replacement, and questionnaire-based assessments only for limited repeat scripts and at the doctor’s discretion. However, some services seem to offer other services based on questionnaires, going against recommended best practice [2].

Medications Available via Telehealth: Online services can only prescribe certain medications. Schedule 8 medications cannot be prescribed via a telehealth consultation, as they are potentially addiction-causing, and most Schedule 4 drugs are also limited, as they can cause harm if misused or for a different purpose than intended [3].

Some doctors may also be more hesitant to prescribe without a physical assessment. Also, they often do only prescribe one repeat, whereas your own GP might prescribe more. This is because they lack knowledge of your complete medical history and do not have the same level of oversight your GP would.

When choosing the right provider for you, it pays off to dig a little deeper. Some sites are ambiguously worded regarding their doctors’ qualifications or are not transparent about their pricing. Others use questionnaire-based services, which may sound fast and convenient but are against best practice and prohibited for a reason.

Even when you are looking for fast or bulk-billed online solutions, you still want to make sure you receive adequate care. Cutting corners is ill-advised when seeking medical care. Thankfully, there are plenty of good options to choose from at any time of day!

This information is intended for educational purposes only. It should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult your physician or a qualified healthcare provider with any concerns or inquiries regarding your health or medical conditions.

[1] https://www.mbsonline.gov.au/internet/mbsonline/publishing.nsf/Content/Factsheet-Telehealth-Updates-April%202023
[2] https://www.medicalboard.gov.au/Codes-Guidelines-Policies/Telehealth-consultations-with-patients.aspx
[3] https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-03/prescriptions-via-telehealth-state-and-territory-rules_0.pdf