From July this year, Australia’s MBS telehealth system is going to change once again, and this comes after two years of constantly evolving rules and regulations regarding the delivery of healthcare services in this country. In a few short months, the controversial new voluntary patient registration (VPR) laws will come into effect. Dr Margaret Faux, CEO of Synapse Medical and Dr Silvia Pfeiffer discuss - Hospital and Healthcare Reports.
According to the 10 Year Health Plan, MBS telehealth will not be available to a patient unless they’re registered with the GP practice. In application, the reforms will extend the “existing relationship rule” GPs currently experience with telehealth consultations and a number of other healthcare arrangements. Although the new laws are described as ‘voluntary’, patients will be unable to access a doctor or seek medical treatment via telehealth unless they’re registered with the practice.
This leaves patients with no other option but to register, leading to industry concerns about practical compulsion in Australia’s healthcare system.
Read the full Hospital and Healthcare article co-authored by Dr Margaret Faux, CEO of Synapse Medical and Dr Silvia Pfeiffer, CEO and Co-Founder of Coviu, as they explore why Australia’s misleading new VPR reforms will restrict equitable access to healthcare and how this will hinder our nation’s healthcare outcomes.
