Telehealth for GPs and other health professionals

Telehealth appointments are now being offered in many Alfred Health clinics and programs.

Using Telehealth with Alfred Health

Please refer to our information sheet on supporting Telehealth appointments with Alfred Health. The sheet includes a step by step guide to using our Telehealth platform (Health Direct).

Referring a patient for a Telehealth appointment

If you would like your patient to have their initial and/or review consultation via Telehealth, please state this clearly in your referral.

Please view Alfred Health referral information for GPs.  

A request for Telehealth will be assessed according to a range of criteria including:

• Clinical appropriateness for telehealth
• Personal circumstances that may limit access to Alfred Health sites in person

While some clinics will consider Telehealth for the patient's initial appointment, a video call is most commonly offered for 'review' appointments. The patient may either be located in their home or supported by your practice, depending on their circumstances.

Supporting a Telehealth appointment

Alfred Health patients may request additional support for their Telehealth appointment from you, their local GP or health service. There are three possible levels of support, depending on the patient’s needs:

1. Providing the patient with access to infrastructure and equipment - this type of support is usually provided when the patient doesn’t have the right equipment to make a video call, their internet connection isn’t reliable, or they are not comfortable using computers. If you would like to offer this support to your patient, you are not required to join the appointment.
2. Providing nursing support - this means that your nursing staff would support and participate in the patient’s Telehealth appointment. Often, this is requested by Alfred Health staff if tests or examinations need to be performed.
3. Providing clinical support - this means that the patient attends their Telehealth appointment with you in the room. This option is usually requested if the patient has a complicated condition or you would like to be closely involved in, or co-manage, their Alfred Health care.

Medicare eligibility

You can bill Medicare for a supported Telehealth appointment if:

• Your practice is located in a Telehealth eligible area
• You meet MBS criteria for Telehealth patient-end services

Under Medicare, eligible support can be provided by a GP, other medical practitioner, a participating nurse practitioner, a participating midwife, an Aboriginal health worker or a practice nurse during the video consultation.