A new study led by Flinders University researchers has found that Medicare restrictions are preventing many homebound Australians from accessing telehealth services.
Their findings underscored the model of care's effectiveness, but current funding rules risk leaving this vulnerable population behind.
The study, published in Health & Social Care in the Community, investigated whether telehealth can effectively meet the care needs of homebound individuals in Australia across different life stages.
WHY IT MATTERS
Based on their global systematic review and meta-analysis, the researchers found that telehealth significantly reduces healthcare utilisation, enhances health-related quality of life, and positively impacts overall wellbeing.
These results, they said, establish telehealth as a viable alternative to in-person care, especially for mental health conditions and primary care services, with notable benefits for rural and underserved communities.
"Yet, despite its proven benefits, many Australians remain excluded from accessing telehealth services because of outdated Medicare requirements," noted Dr Maria Alejandra Pinero de Plaza of Flinders' Caring Futures Institute, who headed the study.
In a media statement, Dr Pinero de Plaza claimed that many of the more than 500,000 Australians who are homebound are "invisible" in the health system.
Medicare, Australia's universal health insurance scheme, requires patients to have seen a general practitioner in person within the past 12 months to qualify for telehealth rebates.
The Flinders researchers suggested removing this rule on established clinical relationships for homebound Australians. They also recommended a more formal data collection on homebound persons to recognise them in the system and co-designing telehealth programs tailored to their needs.
"Every day, homebound Australians are missing out on care that could help them live better, safer lives… Until Medicare rules are updated, thousands of Australians will continue to miss out," Dr Pinero de Plaza stressed.
THE LARGER CONTEXT
The Australian government continues to subsidise telehealth consultations through the Medicare Benefits Schedule, extending arrangements introduced during the pandemic.
Telehealth remains aligned with the federal government's 10-year digital health blueprint, which prioritises patient-centred digital innovation and data-driven care.
In 2024, the updated national digital health strategy emphasised the improvement and expansion of access to virtual care as one of its priorities in meeting the objective of inclusive care.
