Medicare Coverage for Telehealth in 2026

Medicare's approach to telehealth consultations has settled a lot since the temporary pandemic-era items became permanent in 2022. Here's a plain-English read on where things stand in 2026, no cost figures, just the policy shape, since exact rebate amounts shift and are best confirmed directly with Medicare or Services Australia.

Recent Medicare Updates for Telehealth

Telehealth items now sit permanently on the Medicare Benefits Schedule, with the same clinical requirements as the equivalent in-person item. Video remains the preferred format where a face-to-face visit isn't possible, with phone-only items available but under tighter eligibility rules than video. This is the structure that underpins how a bulk billed telehealth consultation gets processed today.

Who Remains Eligible

Broadly, Medicare telehealth funding for a standard GP consultation needs either an established clinical relationship with the practice, usually a recent face-to-face visit, or My Medicare registration with that practice. This framework sits within wider RACGP and AHPRA standards doctors operate under for telehealth delivery, and it applies no matter which telehealth provider a patient uses.

What's Changed Since 2025

Policy here tends to shift in smaller ways now that the core framework is permanent: refinements to eligible practitioner requirements, My Medicare registration, and specific item numbers for particular services, rather than a rewrite of the basic phone-versus-video structure. Because the finer details change often, check Services Australia directly for anything specific to your situation rather than relying solely on a general guide like this one.

Checking Your Own Telehealth Eligibility

The most reliable way to confirm your current eligibility is through your myGov account linked to Medicare, or by asking directly during booking. Our team checks this as a standard part of verifying every 13CURE telehealth appointment. Services Australia's page on who can claim telehealth services under Medicare is the official source if you'd rather check the current rules yourself.

MyMedicare and What It Means for Telehealth

MyMedicare is the voluntary patient registration system that links you to a regular general practice. Registering doesn't cost anything and doesn't stop you from seeing other doctors, but it can support your eligibility for certain longer telehealth consultation types with your registered practice. It's separate from any individual telehealth provider's booking process.

Does Medicare Cover Telehealth for Specialists Too?

Yes, specialist telehealth consultations are also funded under the Medicare Benefits Schedule, generally following a referral from a GP, similarly to how an in-person specialist referral works. Eligibility rules and item numbers differ from standard GP telehealth items, so it's worth confirming the specifics directly with the specialist's practice.

Why This Page Avoids Listing Exact Rebate Amounts

Medicare rebate amounts are indexed and reviewed periodically, which means a specific dollar figure published today can be outdated within months. Rather than risk giving you an incorrect number, we point you to Services Australia's official schedule, and our team confirms the applicable amount for your specific consultation during booking.

How Telehealth Item Numbers Are Chosen

The Medicare item number for your consultation depends on a few factors: whether it's phone or video, how long the consultation runs, and whether it's a standard or after-hours service. Our team and the treating doctor handle this on your behalf; you don't need to know the item numbers for the claim to process correctly.

What Happens If Medicare Policy Changes After Your Consultation?

Your consultation is billed under the item number and eligibility rules that applied on the day you were seen, not whatever rules apply later. If Medicare policy changes, it affects consultations booked after the change takes effect, not retrospectively.

Helpful Resources

Video Call vs Telehealth Consults What's the Difference?

Why video is generally preferred over phone-only consultations under Medicare policy.

Telehealth for Rural Patients in Australia

How telehealth eligibility applies for regional and remote patients.

Bulk Billing GP & Medicare Access in Australia

The full guide to how Medicare and bulk billing work across 13CURE's services.