Medicare Telehealth - COVID-19 codes

From Monday 30 March to 30 September all Australians eligible to receive services under Medicare will be able to access bulk-billed psychological services delivered via telehealth (i.e., videoconference or phone) if clinically appropriate.

How does it work?

* You will need a valid GP Mental Health Care Plan. You do not need to get a new Care Plan if you already have one.

* Max of 10 therapy sessions can be used in a calendar year, these include ANY sessions you already had this year

* Client can not be a patient in a hospital

* Sessions can be delivered through video-conferencing or phone

Which Medicare codes can be bulk billed?

* Telehealth - COVID 19 Initiative

* Chronic Disease Management Services

* Pregnancy Support Initiative (only certain eligible Psychologists)

* Assessment and treatment services for children with autism, pervasive developmental disorder or disability

* Follow-up allied health services for people of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent

* Eating Disorder Management

Telehealth - COVID 19 Initiative

You are eligible under the following circumstances:

• at least 70 years old; or
• at least 50 years old and is of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent; or
• is pregnant; or
• is a parent of a child under 12 months; or
• is already under treatment for chronic health conditions or is immune compromised; or
• the person meets the current national triage protocol criteria for suspected COVID-19 infection.