Is Telehealth Covered by Medicare in Australia?

Some telehealth appointments are eligible for Medicare benefits in Australia, but not every phone or video consultation is covered. Eligibility depends on the type of healthcare service, the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) item being used, the healthcare professional and your circumstances.

Medicare coverage also does not automatically mean an appointment is free. A provider may bulk bill, charge a gap fee or charge a private fee, so it is worth checking the cost before you book.

If you want a broader introduction first, read What Is Telehealth and How Does It Work in Australia?.

Key takeaways

• Medicare includes a range of telehealth services, but eligibility rules vary by service and provider.

• For many non-referred GP and medical-practitioner telehealth services, eligibility may be met through MyMedicare registration with the practice or through an existing clinical relationship, unless an exemption applies.

• A Medicare benefit is not the same as bulk billing. Bulk billing means the provider accepts the Medicare benefit as full payment.

• Some telehealth services may still have an out-of-pocket cost even when a Medicare benefit applies.

• Ask the healthcare service about Medicare eligibility, bulk billing and any fees before booking.

Does Medicare cover telehealth appointments?

Yes, Medicare covers a range of eligible telehealth services through the Medicare Benefits Schedule. These include certain phone and video consultations provided by eligible healthcare professionals.

The Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing explains that telehealth is an ongoing part of Medicare. However, the exact rules depend on the service being provided.

This means that two telehealth appointments can have different Medicare outcomes. One may be eligible for a Medicare benefit, while another may be privately billed because the relevant eligibility or MBS requirements are not met.

What is the difference between Medicare coverage and bulk billing?

A telehealth service can be eligible for a Medicare benefit without being bulk billed.

According to Services Australia, bulk billing means the healthcare professional accepts the Medicare benefit as full payment for the service and bills Medicare directly. If the provider does not bulk bill, you may need to pay the fee and receive a Medicare benefit back, leaving a gap or out-of-pocket cost.

In simple terms:

• Bulk billed: the provider accepts the Medicare benefit as full payment for the consultation, so there is no out-of-pocket consultation fee. Other fees may apply for services or products separate from the consultation.

• Medicare rebate with a gap: Medicare contributes a benefit, but the provider charges more than the benefit, so you pay the difference.

• Private fee: the appointment is not billed to Medicare, or no Medicare benefit applies to that service.

Not all healthcare professionals bulk bill, and a provider may bulk bill some services but not others.

What are the Medicare eligibility rules for GP telehealth?

For many non-referred GP and medical-practitioner telehealth services, Medicare has rules about the relationship between the patient and the practice or practitioner.

Services Australia states that, for many general-practice telehealth items, one of the following pathways may apply:

• you are registered in MyMedicare and the telehealth service is provided by your registered practice, or

• the practitioner qualifies as your eligible telehealth practitioner — for example, you have received an eligible face-to-face MBS service from the practitioner or practice within the previous 12 months.

There are also exemptions and different rules for some services. The MBS eligibility rules for telehealth are detailed and can change, so a healthcare service should confirm whether a particular consultation meets the requirements.

What is MyMedicare and how does it affect telehealth?

MyMedicare is a voluntary and free patient-registration program that allows eligible patients to register with their regular general practice and preferred GP or care team.

The Australian Government’s MyMedicare information for patients explains that registration can provide access to additional primary-care benefits, including longer MBS-funded telehealth consultations with a GP.

Since 1 November 2025, MyMedicare registration also provides an alternative eligibility pathway for many MBS telehealth services when the consultation is provided by the patient’s registered practice.

MyMedicare does not mean every telehealth appointment will automatically be covered or bulk billed. The consultation must still meet the relevant MBS requirements, and the provider decides how it bills the service.

Do I need to see a GP in person before Medicare will cover telehealth?

Not always. For many GP telehealth items, an existing relationship can be established through a qualifying face-to-face MBS service in the previous 12 months. However, MyMedicare registration with the practice can provide another pathway for many services, and exemptions can apply in some circumstances.

Because the rules depend on the service and the patient’s circumstances, it is better to ask the practice whether the appointment is Medicare-eligible rather than assuming that a previous face-to-face visit is always required.

Are both phone and video telehealth covered by Medicare?

Medicare includes both phone and video telehealth items, but the available items and eligibility requirements are not identical for every type of consultation.

The Medicare Benefits Schedule contains specific telehealth items for different practitioners, consultation types and appointment lengths.

This is another reason to check with the healthcare service before booking. Whether a phone or video appointment attracts a Medicare benefit depends on the relevant MBS item and eligibility requirements.

Do specialists and other healthcare professionals use the same Medicare rules?

No. Telehealth rules are not identical across every part of the healthcare system.

Specialists, consultant physicians, nurse practitioners, allied health professionals and other providers may have different MBS items, referral requirements and eligibility rules. For example, some specialist telehealth services require a valid referral, just as the equivalent in-person specialist service would.

If you are seeing someone other than your usual GP, ask the service whether a Medicare benefit applies and whether you need a referral or any other documentation.

How much does a Medicare telehealth appointment cost?

Healthcare providers may set their own consultation fees. If they bulk bill an eligible service, they accept the Medicare benefit as full payment for that consultation. Other fees may apply for services or products that are separate from the consultation itself.

Healthdirect explains that the Medicare benefit may be less than the provider’s full fee. When this happens, the patient may have an out-of-pocket or gap cost.

Before booking, ask:

• Is this telehealth appointment eligible for a Medicare benefit?

• Do you bulk bill this type of appointment?

• If not, what is the total fee and expected out-of-pocket cost?

• Do I need to be registered with MyMedicare or have attended the practice in person previously?

• Do I need a referral or any other information before the appointment?

What if I am not eligible for a Medicare telehealth benefit?

You may still be able to use telehealth if the healthcare service offers a privately billed consultation. In that case, you may need to pay the full consultation fee yourself.

People who are not enrolled in Medicare can also access many private healthcare services in Australia, but Medicare benefits generally will not apply.

Ask the provider about the full cost before booking so you understand whether Medicare contributes to the appointment and whether any amount will be payable by you.

What should I have ready before booking?

It can help to have:

• your Medicare card or Medicare number, if you are enrolled

• the name of your regular practice and GP

• confirmation of whether you are registered with MyMedicare, if relevant

• details of any recent face-to-face appointment with the practice if the service asks for them

• a referral if the healthcare service has told you one is required

The healthcare service can then tell you whether the planned consultation is likely to meet the relevant Medicare requirements and what fees apply.

Medicare telehealth eligibility can depend on the appointment

The main thing to remember is that Medicare does not apply to telehealth simply because an appointment takes place by phone or video.

Coverage depends on the MBS service, the healthcare professional, the relationship between the patient and practice where relevant, and any other eligibility requirements that apply.

Before you book, check both Medicare eligibility and the provider’s billing policy. That will tell you whether the appointment is bulk billed, attracts a Medicare benefit with a gap, or is privately billed.

Learn more about Grove Health

Ready to learn more? Grove Health provides telehealth consultations with Australian healthcare professionals. Medicare-eligible consultations may be bulk billed for eligible patients. Learn how Grove Health works and what to expect from your consultation.

This article provides general educational information and is not a substitute for individual medical or Medicare advice. Medicare eligibility and MBS rules can vary by service and circumstances. Check with your healthcare provider or Services Australia if you are unsure.

Sources

• Services Australia — Who can claim telehealth services under MBS or DVA

• Medicare Benefits Schedule — Eligibility criteria for MBS telehealth (Note AN.1.1)

• Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing — MyMedicare for patients

• Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing — Telehealth

• Services Australia — Bulk billing

• Healthdirect — Bulk billing, Medicare benefits and gap payments