A change to telehealth funding could cut access to healthcare for thousands of vulnerable people.  

Medicare rebates for phone consultations will be scrapped from January 1 and a 50 per cent loading for video consultation added.

It’ll cost patients between $30 to $160 extra to attend video consultations or be forced to attend clinics at a time when COVID-19 cases are rising.

The Director of Policy, Advocacy and Member Support at the Breast Cancer Network of Australia, Vicki Durston, says the changes will impact thousands.

“Those people that currently have a diagnosis of breast cancer and are not able to come into the hospital for an appointment … will only have access to video conferencing and will not be able to speak to their clinicians via the phone,” she told John Stanley.

“As you can imagine, [for] people living regionally and rurally, our elderly, [and] those with limited internet access, this will just not be possible.”

She said the government should consider deferring the changes.

“That allows the sector enough time to consult around the changes that offer flexibility.”

Press PLAY below to hear more on the changes to telehealth 

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