goodbloodsWho will I actually be seeing?
A doctor registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). You can look up any doctor's registration on the public register at ahpra.gov.au. A good online service tells you who the doctor is before or at the start of the consult.
What do the Medical Board's telehealth guidelines expect?
The Medical Board of Australia's guidelines for telehealth consultations, in effect since 1 September 2023, say a telehealth consult should meet the same standard as one in person. In practice, that means:
- confirming who you are
- getting your informed consent, including financial consent, so you know the cost
- keeping secure records
- arranging follow-up
- deciding whether you need to be seen in person instead
Can an online doctor prescribe?
They can, when it's clinically appropriate. The guidelines don't support prescribing based only on an online questionnaire, without a real-time consult with the doctor. So a reputable service has the doctor talk with you first, and treatment happens only if your doctor decides it is right for you.
Does Medicare cover online consults?
Sometimes. Medicare has telehealth items, but eligibility rules apply, and many depend on whether you have an existing relationship with the practice. Ask before you book. At goodbloods, consults aren't bulk billed: it's $59 for a doctor consult and $299 for The Baseline.
When is an in-person visit the better choice?
When something needs to be examined, measured or done hands-on, when you're very unwell, or when an emergency is possible.
Call 000 for chest pain, trouble breathing, severe bleeding or if you're in danger. Telehealth is not an emergency service.
Video or in person: which suits what?
| situation | video consult | in person |
|---|---|---|
| Talking through history, symptoms and options | Suits well | Also fine |
| Going through blood test results | Suits well | Also fine |
| Something needs examining | Not ideal | Better |
| A fresh injury | Not ideal | Better |
| An emergency | No | 000 |
What do people ask after months of "just tired"?
Is a video consult as good as seeing someone in person?
For some things, it suits well. For others, it doesn't. The doctor's job includes telling you which one you're in.
Do I need a referral for an online doctor?
Not for a GP-style consult. You may need one to see a specialist afterwards, which the doctor can arrange.
Can an online doctor order blood tests?
Yes. They give you a pathology request and you go to a collection centre. The lab bills its tests directly.
Fair question: what does an online consult cost?
It varies a lot between services, so look for the price before you start. Ours are on the pricing page: $59 for a consult, $299 for The Baseline.
Where does this information come from?
- Medical Board of Australia. Guidelines: Telehealth consultations with patients. Effective 1 September 2023. medicalboard.gov.au
- Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. MBS Online: telehealth services. mbsonline.gov.au
- healthdirect Australia. Telehealth. healthdirect.gov.au
General information, the doctor decides.