Telehealth Move is ‘More MBS Cost Cutting’

The Australian Medical Association (AMA) has expressed concerns regarding proposed changes to Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) items for telehealth services. While the AMA supports measures to prevent exploitation of exemptions to the prior-relationship rule, they strongly oppose removing MBS items for initial videoconference consultations with non-GP specialists. The AMA argues that this move would limit patient access and contradict the patient-focused principle of MBS telehealth items. They believe that such restrictions may particularly impact access to mental health and developmental pediatric services, especially in rural and remote areas. The AMA is concerned that these changes may be motivated by cost-cutting rather than improving healthcare access, potentially leading to adverse health outcomes. They also suggest that expanding telehealth services, while not a replacement for in-person care, could save the healthcare system around $14 billion annually. The AMA supports several other recommendations and hopes for further exploration of telehealth integration, asynchronous care, and increased funding options through MyMedicare.