Eligibility Criteria
Before you book
Toowoomba Telehealth provides GP telehealth care for patients in Toowoomba and surrounding areas where telehealth is clinically appropriate. Before booking, please consider the following:
- Are you located in the Toowoomba Telehealth service area at the time of your appointment?
- Do you meet the Medicare Criteria for a Telehealth Consult? If not, do you understand that a private fee may apply?
- Is your request suitable for telehealth and consistent with the services we provide?
If the answer is yes to each question, you can proceed to book. If you are unsure, please review the information on this page and/or contact us on (07) 4642 2880 before booking.
Important
This information is general only. Final service suitability, Medicare rebate availability and clinical suitability are confirmed by Toowoomba Telehealth staff and the treating doctor.
Telehealth is not suitable for emergencies.
If you are experiencing chest pain, shortness of breath, severe abdominal pain or other severe symptoms, call 000 or go to your nearest emergency department
Recognised exemptions may apply in some circumstances, including urgent after-hours care (between 11pm and 7 am), children under 12 months, sexual health, reproductive health or blood-borne virus care, homelessness or risk of homelessness, natural disaster, and other Medicare-recognised exemption categories.
Toowoomba Telehealth is not a MyMedicare registration practice. We encourage patients to maintain their usual relationship with their regular GP and general practice where appropriate.
If Medicare eligibility cannot be confirmed, a private non-rebatable fee may apply. Fees and out-of-pocket costs will be explained before the consultation proceeds.
Service area
Toowoomba Telehealth is intended for patients in Toowoomba and selected surrounding Darling Downs communities. This may include Toowoomba, Highfields, Crows Nest, Withcott, Gatton, Oakey, Pittsworth, Millmerran, Warwick and selected localities in Dalby, subject to eligibility, location and clinical suitability. See our Service Area Map.
You should generally be located within the Toowoomba Telehealth service area at the time of your consultation. This may include patients who live, work, study or are temporarily staying in Toowoomba or surrounding areas.
We will ask where you will be located at the time of your appointment. This helps us confirm your eligibility and helps us direct you to local care if face-to-face review is needed. If you are outside the service area, Toowoomba Telehealth may not be suitable for you.
Medicare eligibility
Some consultations may be Medicare-rebatable. Medicare eligibility depends on your circumstances, the appointment type, the doctor, your location and the MBS rules that apply on the day.
To be considered for a Medicare-rebated telehealth consultation, you generally need to:
- hold a valid Medicare or DVA card;
- be physically located in Australia;
- have a health concern suitable for telehealth;
- meet Medicare telehealth relationship requirements or an applicable exemption;
- have the correct Medicare item number confirmed by the treating doctor.
For many GP telehealth services, Medicare requires an existing clinical relationship unless an exemption applies. For Toowoomba Telehealth, this usually means you have had an in-person appointment in the last 12 months with the same Toowoomba Telehealth doctor you are booking with, at their usual GP practice or another practice where they work.
An in-person appointment with a different doctor at another clinic will not automatically make you eligible for a Medicare rebate through Toowoomba Telehealth.
Medicare exemptions
Recognised exemptions may apply in some circumstances, including urgent after-hours care (between 11pm and 7 am), children under 12 months, sexual health, reproductive health or blood-borne virus care, homelessness or risk of homelessness, natural disaster, and other Medicare-recognised exemption categories.
Toowoomba Telehealth is not a MyMedicare registration practice. We encourage patients to maintain their usual relationship with their regular GP and general practice where appropriate.
If Medicare eligibility cannot be confirmed, a private non-rebatable fee may apply. Fees and out-of-pocket costs will be explained before the consultation proceeds.
Medicare exemptions
Recognised exemptions may apply in some circumstances, including urgent after-hours care (between 11pm and 7 am), children under 12 months, sexual health, reproductive health or blood-borne virus care, homelessness or risk of homelessness, natural disaster, and other Medicare-recognised exemption categories.
Toowoomba Telehealth is not a MyMedicare registration practice. We encourage patients to maintain their usual relationship with their regular GP and general practice where appropriate.
If Medicare eligibility cannot be confirmed, a private non-rebatable fee may apply. Fees and out-of-pocket costs will be explained before the consultation proceeds.
Clinical suitability
Telehealth may be suitable for general GP advice, minor acute illnesses, repeat prescriptions where safe, results review, referrals, simple medical certificates, follow-up of existing issues, selected sexual or reproductive health concerns, selected skin concerns where photos or video may assist, and chronic disease discussions where telehealth is safe. See our
Services page for more information.