The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has urged the federal Government to change telehealth compliance rules that prevent GPs with serious underlying health issues from conducting telehealth consultations.
Health Department rules stipulate that a patient must have seen a GP – or a GP at the same practice – face-to-face in the 12 months prior to conducting a telehealth consultation via video or telephone.
In an open letter to the federal Department of Health, RACGP President Dr Karen Price called for changes to the rules to allow immunocompromised GPs and those that are in isolation (because they have tested positive for COVID-19 or furloughing due to exposure to a confirmed case) to safely continue care for their patients.
Dr Price said it was time amend the rules to ensure we have as many GPs providing valuable healthcare services as we can.
“Telehealth is now a permanent fixture of Australia’s healthcare system, and the 12-month rule is not pragmatic for immunocompromised GPs or GPs in isolation,” she said.
“GPs with serious health issues making every effort to keep themselves safe from harm during this pandemic are hamstrung by this officious requirement.
“When the pandemic struck and telehealth was expanded to all patients, GPs supported the intent of the 12-month rule, as it meant a patient was known to the practice. However, two years into the pandemic it’s become apparent that this rule doesn’t always work as intended.
“So, if I’m an immunocompromised GP doing my best to help patients with tens of thousands of new COVID-19 cases emerging every day in communities across Australia, I may not be able to use telehealth if the patient has not sat opposite me for a physical consultation within 12 months, even if they did 13 months ago.
“It means many patients may be missing out on receiving care they need from their usual GP or practice at a time when general practice and the entire health system is under enormous strain. We should be doing all we can to maximise our capacity to see patients via telehealth.
“If the individual seeking a telehealth consult is an existing patient of the practice, either via face-to-face or telehealth, let’s provide an exemption from the 12-month rule and let common sense prevail.”
Dr Price said that GPs and general practice teams deserved greater support.
“General practice is the backbone of the vaccine rollout, yet our vital role is often overlooked,” she said.
“GPs and their teams are not often prone to drawing attention to themselves, we quietly go about our work helping patients from all walks of life and delivering more than half of all COVID-19 vaccines.
“However, despite this, GPs are often looking over their shoulder in fear of receiving a compliance letter because they have not strictly met the letter of the law. The RACGP has the Health Department that the 12-month requirement came at a time when GPs were struggling to navigate complex and rapidly changing compliance requirements for telehealth and doing their best to care for their patients in a pandemic.
“So, my message to the Government is simple – please aim for a common-sense interpretation and enforcement of Medicare rules for telehealth. Let’s amend the 12-month requirement for immunocompromised GPs and those in isolation right away and ensure all GPs can safely provide the care their patients need.”
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