Can we bulk bill?
Currently, the Australian Government does NOT provide a useable Medicare Item for us to provide this service. Optometry Australia is currently lobbying for this to change in the near future.
Therefore, Optometry Telehealth services are currently only available through private billing (cost directly to patient). We require full payment of any fees at the time of booking the appointment.
How does it work?
A Telehealth consultations can be booked by calling the practice directly or via our online booking service (make sure you select the Teleheath option). We can answer all your questions, inform you of the correct fees and book a time.
The optometrist can provide direct care to the patient through videoconferencing or telephone. The optometrist will explore the symptoms, signs and other risk factors with the patient as they would in a normal face-to-face consultation and using their professional clinical judgement decides on appropriate management.
The results of the Telehealth consultation may have several outcomes, some examples provided below:
A) The patient can be safely managed via Telehealth with an appropriate follow up scheduled.
B) Many patients may have issues that cannot safely or effectively be managed via Telehealth without a face-to-face consultation. If the Optometrist decides a Telehealth consultation is not appropriate to safely manage the patient’s eye care needs, a face- to-face consultation with an optometrist can be organised for an appropriate time.
C) The patient requires direct care from an ophthalmologist, or other health professional and a direct referral to appropriate care is provided.
