The new standards highlight a range of safety and quality issues significant to general practices offering video consultations with Australian registered and based medical specialists. They are an addendum to the RACGP Standards for general practices (4th Edition). These standards were developed in response to the July implementation of Medicare rebates and incentives for practice conducting video consultations for patients in regional, outer metropolitan and remote Australia, as well as patients in residential aged care facilities or Aboriginal medical services anywhere in Australia.
TELEHEALTH QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE (Click here for a pdf copy of the Telehealth Quick Reference Guide
|
TOPIC
|
TELEHEALTH - SUMMARY
|
| Introduction |
As from the 1st July 2011, Medicare has announced that Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) rebates will be available for video-tele consultations between Medical Specialists, Nurse Practitioners, Midwives, Practice Nurses and Aboriginal Health Workers, Medical Practitioners and Aged Care Services. |
| What is a video teleconference? | A video teleconference is an array of interactive telecommunication technologies that allows two or more locations to connect via two-way audio and video transmissions together. Attached is the Medicare Australia link for further reading www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/provider/incentives/telehealth.jsp |
| Telehealth MBS Item Numbers |
These new MBS item numbers will increase the access to specialist services for people in locations where it is often difficult to access a specialist.
Further details on patient eligibility and MBS item numbers refer to: www.mbsonline.gov.au/telehealth |
| Incentives | There are four types of incentives available to Eligible Practitioners and Aged Care Facilities. Eligible Practitioners:
|
| Participants and Eligible areas? |
Health professionals who have a Medicare provider number and are located in eligible areas include the following: Specialists, Consultant Physicians, Consultant Psychiatrists, Medical Practitioners, Nurse practitioners; and Midwives. Exceptions to eligible areas include the following:
|
| How do I apply? | For a Practitioner there is no formal application process. Upon the first successful lodgment of an MBS Telehealth item number via your Medicare provider number this will automatically inform Medicare Australia that you are participating as a Telehealth practitioner. A Residential Aged Care Provider is advised to register using the On-Board Incentive Payment form which will be made available from the 1st of July 2011 on www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/provider/incentives/telehealth.jsp |
| Residential Aged Care Services | The Telehealth incentive program is open to residential aged care services where care and accommodation are provided to residents under the Aged Care Act 1997 and who hold a Residential Aged Care Service (RACS) ID. |
| I want to know more? |
Who can I email if I want to know more? telehealth@medicareaustralia.gov.au |
| Conclusion | Telehealth forms part of the National health reform (eHealth strategy) which aims to harness technology to achieve the Government's strategy to provide additional care when and where people need it. This will be achieved by utlising Telehealth services to provide online consultations; patients in many cases will have access to specialists sooner and with less expense and time involved. Additional Information: www.yourhealth.gov.au/internet/yourhealth/publishing.nsf/Content/theme-ehealth |
