While some regional patients are reeling from recent changes to the Medicare rebate for telehealth appointments, medical professionals say it will have positive impacts in the long run.
Medicare rebates have been cut for phone calls to doctors that last longer than 20 minutesThey say boosting doctor numbers is more importantemoved a rebate for telehealth appointmentsIt sparked mixed reactions from regional residents, some of whom had become reliant on over-the-phone appointments because of a lack of accessibility and long wait times for face-to-face consults.She said she saw about 60 patients a day and many of them were vulnerable.
Her clinic hasn't offered telehealth as an option, instead sticking by its philosophy to consult face-to-face, even during the pandemic. "[And] I really can't understand the absolute benefit of telehealth because you can not put your hands on the patient."Ms Barter said telephone consults weren't solving any of the issues facing regional communities."We need more doctors," she said.John Hall says he will not support a complete rollback of telehealth.
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