Effective from 22 February 2022, eligibility requirements for telehealth services by GPs and other medical practitioners (OMPS) working in GP settings has been amended, enabling patients' living in flood-affected areas access to telehealth services from any GP or OMP (i.e. removing the existing relationship requirement). The exemption applying to video and phone telehealth services.
A flood-affected area is a State or Territory Local Government Area that is identified as a natural disaster due to flood at the time of the service.
The exemption applies to areas that have been declared a natural disaster and for the duration of that declaration.
Updated information is now live under the MBS Telehealth Services from January 2022 page on MBS Online, and the factsheet available on that page for GPs and other medical practitioners has also been updated.
The Department of Health's flood information and support page also contains useful information for regarding financial assistance, health services and mental health support.
