From 1 January 2013 the geographic eligibility criteria for telehealth Medicare Benefit Schedule (MBS) items were amended to align with the Australian Standard Geographical Classification Remoteness Area (ASGC-RA) classifications. MBS benefits are available for services provided to patients located in regional, rural and remote areas (ie ASGC-RA 2-5).

In addition to this, new MBS telehealth items have been introduced for initial specialist and consultant physician video consultations of ten minutes or less of clinical contact with the patient.

Fact sheet for 1 January 2013 changes to telehealth in DOC format.
Fact sheet for 1 January 2013 changes to telehealth in PDF format.

Changes announced in the 2012-13 Budget

Addition of a minimum distance requirement

On 1 November 2012, the MBS telehealth items were amended to require that the patient and remote specialist be at least 15 kilometres apart.

The minimum distance requirement does not apply to residents of Aged Care Facilities or patients of an Aboriginal Medical Service.

Fact sheet for 1 November 2012 changes to telehealth in DOC format.
Fact sheet for 1 November 2012 changes to telehealth in PDF format.