Does Medicare or Workcover or Private Health funds cover the Telehealth consultation fees?

  • Medicare covers under the Extended Care Programme following written referral by a general practitioner (GP) from 30 March 2020 to 30 September 2020
  • Workcover covers consultation fees from 23 March 2020 to 30 September 2020 following recommendation by a GP or relevant medical Specialist
  • Several private health funds have agreed to provide benefits for individual (one on one) physiotherapy teleconsultations from 14 April to 30 September 2020 where:
  • The patient is undergoing an existing course of treatment and the patient has seen the physiotherapist over the past six months, or
  • For new patients, the tele-physiotherapy service has been recommended by their general practitioner or relevant medical specialist, and
  • The primary condition being treated is one of:
    • Post Orthopaedic surgery rehabilitation (e.g. Total hip or knee replacement)
    • Chronic musculoskeletal condition (e.g. osteoarthritis)
    • Cardiac rehabilitation
    • Pulmonary rehabilitation, or
    • Pelvic floor muscle training
  • The service is delivered before 30 September 2020, and
  • The service is undertaken in accordance with Australian Physiotherapy Association guidelines.