Telehealth consultations can be bulk billed in Australia, but most private telehealth providers do not offer it. If you want a telehealth appointment with no out-of-pocket cost, you need to know which providers bulk bill and what is included.
What does bulk billing mean?
Bulk billing is a billing arrangement where a doctor bills Medicare directly for the full cost of your consultation. You do not pay anything. There is no gap fee, no out-of-pocket cost, and no claim to submit.
For a consultation to be bulk billed, two things need to be true:
- The patient holds a valid Medicare card
- The doctor or practice agrees to accept the Medicare rebate as full payment
Not all doctors bulk bill. It is a choice made by each practice. The same applies to telehealth providers.
Which telehealth providers bulk bill?
Most private telehealth platforms in Australia charge a fee per consultation, typically between $39 and $65. Some charge additional fees on top for medical certificates, prescriptions, or referrals.
A few providers offer limited bulk billing:
- Some bulk bill after-hours consultations only (not during business hours)
- Some bulk bill mental health consultations only
- Some offer bulk billing for select patient groups such as concession card holders
- Some do not bulk bill at all
At NewDoc, telehealth consultations are bulk billed for eligible Medicare cardholders regardless of the time of day, the type of consultation, or whether you hold a concession card. Eligibility depends on your Medicare status and where you are located in Australia. If you have a valid Medicare card and meet the eligibility criteria, your consultation is $0.
What is included in a bulk billed telehealth consult?
When your consultation is bulk billed, everything your GP provides during that appointment is included at no extra cost. At NewDoc, this means:
- Prescriptions and repeat scripts: sent as eScripts to your phone
- Medical certificates: for work, school, or carer's leave
- Specialist referrals: to dermatologists, psychiatrists, ENT specialists, and more
- Pathology referrals: for blood tests, thyroid function, iron studies, and more
- Imaging referrals: for X-rays, ultrasounds, and scans
- Mental Health Treatment Plans: giving you access to Medicare-subsidised psychology sessions
There are no add-on fees. Some other telehealth providers charge separately for medical certificates ($15–$25) or prescriptions ($19–$50) on top of the consultation fee. With bulk billed telehealth, you should not be paying anything extra.
Common misconceptions about bulk billed telehealth
"Bulk billed means lower quality care." This is not true. Bulk billing is a billing arrangement, not a measure of clinical quality. At NewDoc, all consultations are conducted by AHPRA-registered GPs who hold Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (FRACGP). The clinical standard is the same regardless of how the consultation is billed.
"You can only get bulk billed telehealth after hours." Some providers restrict bulk billing to after-hours appointments, but this is not a Medicare requirement. It depends on the provider's policy. NewDoc bulk bills eligible patients at any time of day.
"Telehealth consultations are too short to be useful." A standard telehealth consultation covers the same scope as an in-person visit. Your GP can issue prescriptions, certificates, referrals, and pathology requests in a single appointment.
"You need a concession card to be bulk billed." Eligibility requirements vary by provider. At NewDoc, you do not need a concession card. You need a valid Medicare card and to meet the eligibility criteria.
How to check your eligibility
The simplest way to check if you are eligible for bulk billed telehealth is to start the booking process. At NewDoc, your eligibility is assessed automatically based on your Medicare details and location. If you are eligible, the consultation is confirmed at $0. If you are not eligible for bulk billing, you will be informed of the private consultation fee (up to $64.50) before confirming your appointment.
How to get started
Visit NewDoc to book a bulk billed telehealth consultation. Same-day appointments are available seven days a week, and eligible Medicare patients pay nothing. All consultations are with FRACGP-qualified GPs.
Written by
Dr. Jason Yu FRACGP
Chief Medical Officer, NewDoc
A practising GP with over a decade of clinical experience, specialising in allergies, metabolic health, and natural medicines.