MedCall blog

Telehealth, explained for Australian clinicians.

Straight-talking guides on telehealth software, Medicare billing, compliance, prescribing and running great video consults — written for the people doing the work, and referenced to the sources that matter.

Telehealth basicsMedicare & billingCompliance & privacyPrescribingRunning consultsChoosing softwareBy specialtyFor patients

Telehealth basics

Plain-English guides to how telehealth works in Australia.

Telehealth basics

What is telehealth software? A plain guide for Australian clinicians

What is telehealth software, how it differs from Zoom or FaceTime, the core features to expect, and how it keeps consults private in Australia.

3 June 20265 min read

Telehealth basics

The future of telehealth in Australia: where it's heading

The future of telehealth in Australia: permanent Medicare items, the national digital health strategy, My Health Record, eScripts and remote monitoring.

12 Nov 20255 min read

Telehealth basics

Telehealth statistics Australia: usage, uptake and trends

Telehealth statistics Australia: MBS services delivered, patient and provider numbers, and how uptake has trended since 2020 — every figure sourced.

29 Oct 20255 min read

Telehealth basics

Advantages of telehealth: benefits for patients, clinicians and the system

The advantages of telehealth for patients, clinicians and the health system — access, time and continuity — plus the honest limitations.

15 Oct 20255 min read

Telehealth basics

Telehealth vs in person: when to use each

Telehealth vs in person: when each is the right choice, the pros and cons for patients and clinicians, and what a video consult can't safely replace.

1 Oct 20255 min read

Telehealth basics

How does telehealth work? The mechanics, end to end

How does telehealth work? A step-by-step look at booking, joining by a texted link, the consult itself, and getting scripts, referrals and certificates.

17 Sept 20255 min read

Telehealth basics

What is telehealth? A plain-English guide for Australians

What is telehealth? Care delivered by video or phone instead of in person. What it covers, who provides it, and how it works in Australia.

3 Sept 20255 min read

Medicare & billing

MBS item numbers, bulk billing and telehealth rebates, explained.

Medicare & billing

Is telehealth bulk billed? Medicare and telehealth costs explained

Yes, telehealth can be bulk billed in Australia — but whether yours is free depends on your clinic and your eligibility. How Medicare and telehealth costs work.

18 Aug 20263 min read

Medicare & billing

The Modified Monash Model (MMM): MM1–MM7 explained

What the Modified Monash Model is, how MM1–MM7 work, how to look up an area, and why it matters for rural health and telehealth.

21 Jan 20265 min read

Medicare & billing

How to bill a telehealth consult: a step-by-step guide for clinicians

A clinician's guide to billing telehealth: confirm eligibility, choose the right MBS item, decide bulk bill vs private, and submit the claim.

14 Jan 20265 min read

Medicare & billing

MyMedicare and telehealth: what registration unlocks

MyMedicare links patients to their usual practice and unlocks longer telehealth phone items and stronger bulk billing incentives. Here's how to register.

7 Jan 20265 min read

Medicare & billing

How does bulk billing work? The mechanics for patients and providers

How bulk billing works in Australia: assignment of benefit, schedule fee vs charge, the gap, incentives, and how providers submit bulk-billed claims.

17 Dec 20255 min read

Medicare & billing

What is bulk billing? Medicare costs explained simply

Bulk billing means your provider bills Medicare directly and you pay nothing. Here's what it is, how the rebate works, and who bulk bills in Australia.

10 Dec 20255 min read

Medicare & billing

The telehealth 12-month rule: Medicare eligibility explained

Medicare's telehealth 12-month rule means most GP video and phone consults need a recent face-to-face visit. Here's how it works, plus the key exemptions.

3 Dec 20256 min read

Medicare & billing

Telehealth MBS item numbers 2026: GP video and phone quick reference

Every GP and non-GP telehealth MBS item number for video and phone, Levels A to E, with 1 July 2026 fees, the MyMedicare phone rules and the eligibility exemptions. Checked against MBS Online.

26 Nov 20256 min read

Compliance & privacy

AHPRA, the Privacy Act, consent and record-keeping for telehealth.

Compliance & privacy

Telehealth consent form template (free, Australia)

A free telehealth consent form template for Australian practices, in Word and PDF. Covers what the Medical Board, RACGP, Ahpra and the OAIC expect patients to know, with tick-boxes for AI scribes and recording.

14 Oct 20268 min read

Compliance & privacy

Is Zoom compliant for telehealth? Consumer video vs purpose-built

Is Zoom compliant for telehealth in Australia? Why compliance depends on how patient data is handled, and why most clinics use purpose-built tools.

11 Mar 20265 min read

Compliance & privacy

Health data residency in Australia: why onshore hosting matters

How data residency and APP 8 cross-border disclosure apply to telehealth, and why Australian hosting simplifies your obligations for patient health data.

4 Mar 20265 min read

Compliance & privacy

When telehealth is not appropriate: red flags and when to convert

How to judge clinical appropriateness for telehealth: presentations that need in-person care, red flags to watch for, and when to convert or escalate.

25 Feb 20265 min read

Compliance & privacy

Telehealth documentation: what to record and why it matters

Telehealth documentation: the telehealth-specific details to record, the medico-legal risks, and a simple note template for consults.

18 Feb 20265 min read

Compliance & privacy

Informed consent for telehealth: what to get and how to document it

Informed consent for telehealth: what to obtain, what to explain, and how to document it, with RACGP and medico-legal guidance.

11 Feb 20265 min read

Compliance & privacy

Telehealth and the Privacy Act: what practices must do

How the Privacy Act and Australian Privacy Principles apply to telehealth health information, plus the practice obligations that matter most.

4 Feb 20265 min read

Compliance & privacy

Ahpra telehealth guidelines: what the Medical Board expects

A plain-English guide to the Ahpra telehealth guidelines: same standard of care, identity, consent, appropriate prescribing and record-keeping.

28 Jan 20265 min read

Prescribing

eScripts, medical certificates and prescribing safely over telehealth.

Prescribing

Telehealth referral: getting specialist, pathology and imaging requests

Telehealth referral explained: specialist referrals plus pathology and imaging requests can be issued by video and sent electronically. Here's how.

22 Apr 20265 min read

Prescribing

Telehealth medical certificate: is it valid?

Is a telehealth medical certificate valid? Yes when the doctor genuinely assesses you and acts in good faith. What it covers and employer acceptance.

15 Apr 20266 min read

Prescribing

Schedule 8 telehealth prescribing: controlled drugs and RTPM

Schedule 8 telehealth prescribing in Australia: controlled drugs, real-time prescription monitoring (RTPM), state permits and extra caution by video.

8 Apr 20265 min read

Prescribing

Can telehealth prescribe antibiotics? What patients should know

Can telehealth prescribe antibiotics? Yes when clinically appropriate after an assessment — but not for colds or flu, and not on demand. Here's why.

1 Apr 20265 min read

Prescribing

Electronic prescriptions (eScripts) explained for patients and clinicians

Electronic prescriptions (eScripts) explained: how the SMS/email token and Active Script List work, pharmacy dispensing, and why they suit telehealth.

25 Mar 20266 min read

Prescribing

Can telehealth prescribe medication? What's allowed in Australia

Can telehealth prescribe medication in Australia? Usually yes after a genuine assessment, not on demand. What can and can't be prescribed by video.

18 Mar 20265 min read

Running consults

Best practice for great, safe video consultations.

Running consults

How to run a great telehealth consultation: a practical guide for clinicians

Practical, RACGP-aligned tips for running safe, effective telehealth consultations in Australia — from setup and consent to safety-netting and documentation.

17 Aug 20264 min read

Running consults

Remote physical examination in telehealth: what you can assess

Remote physical examination over telehealth: patient-assisted manoeuvres, using the camera, what you can and can't assess, and when to bring them in.

27 May 20266 min read

Running consults

Safety-netting in telehealth: how to do it and document it

Safety-netting in telehealth: what it is, how to do it well over video, how to document it and when to escalate. Practical, RACGP-aligned guidance.

20 May 20266 min read

Running consults

How to reduce telehealth no-shows: reminders and easy joining

How to reduce telehealth no-shows: reminders that work, a texted link patients can just tap, device pre-checks and clear joining instructions.

13 May 20265 min read

Running consults

Telehealth room setup: lighting, camera, audio and privacy

A practical telehealth room setup guide: lighting, camera height, audio and headsets, a clean background, privacy and a reliable connection.

6 May 20266 min read

Running consults

Webside manner: how to build rapport on a video consult

Webside manner is rapport on video. Practical tips on camera eye contact, narration, pacing, empathy and handling silences in telehealth consultations.

29 Apr 20266 min read

Choosing software

How to pick the right telehealth platform for your practice.

Choosing software

Telehealth software pricing in Australia: what the main platforms cost (2026)

What Coviu, doxy.me, GP Consults and MedCall cost per clinician and for a 5-doctor practice, checked October 2026, plus how the pricing models work and the add-ons to watch.

8 July 20266 min read

Choosing software

Telehealth software and your PMS: how they fit together

Telehealth software and PMS integration: how a video tool fits with Halaxy, Cliniko, Best Practice or Medical Director — MedCall pairs, not replaces.

1 July 20266 min read

Choosing software

Free vs paid telehealth platforms: which do you actually need?

Free vs paid telehealth: when a free 1:1 tool is enough, when a paid suite pays off, and how to decide for your Australian practice.

24 June 20265 min read

Choosing software

Telehealth platforms in Australia compared: prices and features (2026)

Coviu, doxy.me, GP Consults, Healthdirect Video Call, Halaxy and MedCall compared on price, hosting and features. Checked against each provider's website in October 2026.

17 June 20265 min read

Choosing software

How to choose telehealth software: a practical checklist

How to choose telehealth software in Australia: a checklist for patient join, privacy, hosting, reliability, price, PMS fit and support.

10 June 20266 min read

By specialty

Telehealth for GPs, psychology, allied health and more.

By specialty

ADHD telehealth in Australia: assessment, care and prescribing

How ADHD telehealth works in Australia: assessment and care by video, why stimulant (Schedule 8) prescribing rules vary by state, and safe practice.

14 Aug 20265 min read

By specialty

Allied health telehealth: OT, physio, dietetics and more

How allied health telehealth works in Australia across OT, physiotherapy, dietetics and nurse practitioners: funding, what suits video, best practice.

12 Aug 20265 min read

By specialty

Speech therapy telehealth: how telepractice works in Australia

How speech therapy telehealth works in Australia: what suits telepractice, NDIS and Medicare funding context, SPA guidance, and setup that works.

5 Aug 20265 min read

By specialty

Telehealth psychiatry in Australia: how it works and MBS context

How telehealth psychiatry works in Australia: RANZCP guidance, the MBS item context to check, and best practice for safe, effective video assessments.

29 July 20265 min read

By specialty

Telehealth for psychologists: Better Access, privacy and best practice

How telehealth works for Australian psychologists: Better Access context, privacy and platform choice, and best practice for effective video sessions.

22 July 20265 min read

By specialty

Telehealth for GPs: how it works, MBS rules and best practice

How telehealth works for Australian GPs: video vs phone, the MBS eligibility rules, RACGP best practice and running consults with less tech friction.

15 July 20265 min read

For patients

What to expect and how to join a telehealth appointment.

For patients

What is a telehealth appointment? A plain guide for Australians

A telehealth appointment is a consult with a doctor by video or phone instead of in person. How they work in Australia, what they're good for, and what to expect.

19 Aug 20264 min read

For patients

Is telehealth secure? Privacy and your rights, explained

Is telehealth secure? How encryption, Australian data hosting and your privacy rights protect a video consult — and what to check before your appointment.

19 Nov 20255 min read

For patients

Telehealth camera not working? How to fix camera, mic and connection

Telehealth camera not working? Fix camera, mic and connection problems — permission steps by browser and phone, and what to do if the call drops.

5 Nov 20255 min read

For patients

Telehealth on iPhone and Android: tips for a smooth video call

Telehealth on iPhone and Android: pick the right browser, grant camera and mic permissions, choose wifi or data, and keep the battery going for your call.

22 Oct 20255 min read

For patients

Do you need an app for telehealth? Usually not

Do you need an app for telehealth? Usually no — good telehealth opens in your web browser. Here's why, and when you might still be asked to install one.

8 Oct 20255 min read

For patients

What to expect at your first telehealth appointment

What to expect at a telehealth appointment: how to prepare, the ID check, what happens during the consult, and getting scripts or referrals afterwards.

24 Sept 20256 min read

For patients

How to join a telehealth appointment: a simple step-by-step guide

How to join a telehealth appointment in a few taps: what you need, how the texted-link flow works, and how to test your phone or computer first.

10 Sept 20255 min read

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