Máire Kildare tried twice to see a doctor via a video call from her home but the connection kept dropping out. Now people like her could receive less money back from Medicare to see a doctor.
Máire Kildare has tried twice to see a doctor over a video call from her home near the Clare Valley in South Australia.Doctors fear vulnerable patients in regional Australia won't be able to access healthcare
"They were booked appointments," she told the ABC from her verandah, which she said was the only spot to get phone service.Now changes to Medicare rebates will mean people in rural Australia with poor internet connections such as Ms Kildare will receive less money back from the government, according to bush doctors.
"We see this as a significant disadvantage to our most vulnerable communities, including our rural and regional patients."Telehealth is booming in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new report from tech giant Philips.
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