The Federal Government is tweaking the ‘existing-relationship’ rule for telehealth again, making an exemption for patients who have tested positive to COVID-19 within the previous seven days. 

The rule, introduced in July 2020, limits rebates for telehealth items to doctors whose practice has seen the patient face to face at least once in the previous 12 months. 

Until Friday, patients isolating as a result of COVID-19 public health orders were exempt from the rule, but all states and territories have now scrapped mandatory isolation. 

There were concerns the change would force patients with COVID-19 to attend practices just to receive MBS-funded care despite the risks to other patients and the cost of PPE for GPs.