We always prefer seeing patients in the practice. However, we recognise that telehealth can be very convenient. We have provided some information as to how telehealth works at Vickers Teamcare.
What is the Cost of Telehealth?
- We still bulk bill all phone and video consults covered by Medicare and will continue to do so for as long as possible.
- Telehealth includes consultations by phone and video. In some cases, Medicare will only cover video consultations.
- You must have been seen in the practice in the last 12 months or have registered for My Medicare for Telehealth to be covered by Medicare and Bulk billed.
- After a telehealth consultation, we will e-mail the form to you, which we will send to Medicare. You do not need to take any action.
When should you call and be put straight through?
- If it is an emergency and you think you need an ambulance or to go to the hospital, then definitely call, and we can put you straight through. Examples include
- chest pain
- a possible stroke
- trouble breathing
- allergic reaction
- burns,
- poisoning
- severe pain
- fracture
- very unwell child
- eye injury
When should you be seen in the practice?
Some medical problems need us to examine you and patients need to come into the practice. They include
- Earaches
- Suspected tonsillitis
- mastitis unless you have had it before
- Back pain
- Knee pain and other joint pains that you haven’t had before
- Sick children less than 12 months old
- Urine infections where you have a fever or back pain
- Virus or chest infection where you are getting worse
- New skin rashes or skin infections
- Abdominal pain
- Vomiting without diarrhoea
- Worsening of asthma not responding to usual asthma plan
- Antenatal care during pregnancies
- Menopause
- Any new condition that you have not had before
- Travel consultations. these are complex and need a long consultation
- Chest pain, shortness of breath
We recognise there may be times when, for a significant reason, you cannot come in for example, if you are really unwell and need care and cannot come because you are interstate, have no transport, have no one to care for the children,or absolutely can’t get time off work,
What conditions/requests/medical problems are perfect for Telehealth and can be done by phone
- Mental Health consultations
- Scripts for medications you have had before
- Referrals to specialists. We may take the opportunity to update your management plan if it has not been done for a while and your medical history is not current.
- Results. We will try to put you in with the doctor who organised the tests.
- Work certificates
- Cold/flu/virus where you are not very unwell
- Forms for Blood tests and X-Rays
- COVID or possible COVID cases where you may need antiviral medication
- Urinary tract infections without back pain and fever
- Gout if you have had it before
- Reflux if you have had it before
- Acne if you have had it before
- Contraception, although it is easier in person to explain the options
What conditions/requests/medical problems are perfect for Telehealth and must be done by video
- Management plans
- Team Care arrangements
- Mental health Plans and organising visits to a psychologist