A range of COVID-19 health measures has been extended for another six months to ensure millions of Australians can continue to receive medical care and support in their own homes.
Announced by Prime Minister Scott Morrison, medicare-subsidised telehealth and pathology services, GP-led respiratory clinics, home medicines delivery, as well as public and private hospital services have all been extended.
“By providing telehealth and home delivery medicine services we are reducing the risk of exposure to COVID-19 in the community while also supporting people in isolation to get the care they need,” Mr Morrison said.
“Importantly this also includes mental health services, delivered over the phone, by trained specialists and GPs,” he said.
Mr Morrison said these health initiatives played a major role in detecting, preventing and treating COVID-19.
Minister for Health, Greg Hunt said patients would continue to have access to Medicare-subsidised telehealth for general practitioners, nursing, midwifery, allied health and allied mental health services.
“Telehealth is also being extended for essential specialist services, such as consultant physician, geriatrician, and neurosurgery services,” Mr Hunt said.
“Bulk billing will continue to be available and regular billing practices will apply to all of these services,” he said.
Mr Hunt said eligible people would continue to get free home delivery of essential medicines by their local pharmacist.
