Telehealth Shift – Update 26/03/20

Thank you for the great response to our first update and the co-operation of our patients with our infection control measures. It’s only been a couple of days but it is time for another update:

1.Transition to Telehealth.

2. Private Health Insurance adding Telehealth rebates.

3. Telehealth Fee Structure

4. Workcover patients.

1.Transition to Telehealth

Our testing of Coviu and Physitrack has now satisfied us that we can transition to Telehealth consults from next Monday. We will contact patients with appointments to confirm details and explain the Telehealth access process. Initially we will be offering appointments on Monday/Wednesday/Friday from 9am, with the last appointment at 4pm. If these times are not suitable please let us know and we will see what we can do. Our intention is to attend the clinic to provide treatment support such as product sales and pick-ups, and strapping if required.

2. Private Health Insurance adding Telehealth rebates

It was announced this morning that Private Health Insurers WILL fund Physio 1 on 1 Telehealth video consultations from April 14 under certain conditions. See the APA Media Release for details.

It would have been simpler for them to allow everything within the normal guidelines, but it’s a start. Prominent absences include new ligament sprains/muscle strains/tendinopathies, post-fracture treatment when surgery was not required, acute spinal pain etc.  A Doctor’s referral is required for coverage of new condition referrals, which we believe is unnecessary given that we have been first contact practitioners since 1976! This also adds to the GP’s workload and we believe that any new measures should be doing the opposite.  Please consider emailing your Insurer to lobby for these changes!! They are more likely to listen to the demands of their members at this time than anyone else.

3. Telehealth Fee Structure

With daily changes in the rebate situation there is a degree of uncertainty in fee structuring for Telehealth video consultations, so please follow future updates. We will provide the first Telehealth session free for each patient.  The amount covered through your private health rebate will be determined by your health fund, and should be the same as you would currently receive for in-rooms treatment. Under the new arrangements, patients will be required to pay the full fee prior to consultation (generally by credit card over the phone) then claim the rebate back from their health fund using the receipt provided by us.

4. WorkCover Patients

A reminder to WorkCover patients that Telehealth video consultations are covered by WorkCover as long as both you and your Workcover Case Manager are happy with the arrangement.

We thank you for your ongoing support at this difficult time. If you have any questions please feel free to call or email us.