Coviu Blog

Universal telehealth rebates have finally arrived in Australia in what Prime Minister Scott Morrison declared “is a decade's worth of work in a matter of days.”

However, the everyday Australian is excluded from these rebates.

At Coviu, we understand almost 70% of Australia's healthcare funding is provided via the government. This means that reimbursements for telehealth are essential for patient and provider uptake.

The Australian Government has recently activated its Coronavirus emergency plan, treating the virus as a pandemic. Currently, there are an estimated 95 000 cases of the virus globally, spreading across 84 countries. As of 5th March, there have been 52 cases and one death confirmed in Australia alone.

Coviu is always on the lookout for new information about telehealth in Australia, particularly when it comes to funding under Medicare or other Government programs. We've recently discovered a relatively unknown piece of information, that could drastically change the way our elderly population is receiving care.

Sydney, 20 February: As the physical rebuild continues across mainland Australia following one of the worst bushfire seasons on record - for many, the mental scars are only just emerging.

Telehealth video consultations are quickly becoming a standard way to deliver healthcare, both within Australia and globally. The industry is growing rapidly, which means technology, consumer expectations and government policies are continuously evolving.

The World Health Organisation has declared the spread of novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV/COVID-19) a global emergency, following its appearance in China late last year. As of February 12, over 45 000 cases and 1,100 deaths have been confirmed in mainland China alone, surpassing the toll from the SARS epidemic of 2002-3.

The 2019-20 Australian bushfires have been devastating, with at least 33 recorded deaths nationally. Hundreds of structures have been destroyed and millions of animals and livestock have perished. Unfortunately, there is no end in sight, with experts warning the fires could continue for months.

5. Increased Telehealth Usage by Patients, Providers and Larger Organisations.

Finally, the last and possibly most exciting trend! Telehealth usage is increasing quickly, as each year, patients are becoming more open to new technology, and equally more dependant on it.