Telehealth (phone and video consultations)
The following information explains how you can continue receiving your sessions by telehealth (phone or video). Although you may not think it necessary to set-up telehealth right now, please consider how quickly things are developing and changing in response to COVID-19; it is possible that at very short notice you (and/or we) will have to stay at home and have no other choice but to use telehealth. Therefore, we urge to you please spend a few minutes getting this set-up for peace of mind. Please refer to the relevant section for you below.
Medicare clients:
If you normally attend under Medicare and you need telehealth (phone or video consultation), Medicare has approved brief (20min) consultations for those that meet the following strict criteria:
- you have been diagnosed with COVID-19 virus
- you have been required to isolate yourself by a doctor
- you are considered more susceptible due to the following:
- are at least 70 years old; or
- are at least 50 years old and is of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent; or
- are pregnant; or
- are a parent of a child under 12 months; or
- are already under treatment for chronic health conditions or is immune compromised
If you do not meet the above criteria, then unfortunately you cannot claim a Medicare rebate for sessions held via phone or video-conferencing. You can choose to have telehealth pay for this privately if you wish.
NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) clients:
If you normally attend under NDIS and you need telehealth (phone or video consultation), then simply contact us and we will change your appointment from a “clinic” appointment to “telehealth” appointment. There are no restrictions to who can use telehealth under NDIS.
WorkCover clients:
If you normally attend under Workover and you need telehealth (phone or video consultation), then simply contact us and we will change your appointment from a “clinic” appointment to “telehealth” appointment. There are no restrictions to who can use Telehealth under WorkCover.
TAC (Transport Accident Commission) clients:
We are still waiting on information from TAC to confirm their approval for telehealth. Please contact your TAC case manager to request approval for telehealth if needed.
Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal (VoCAT) clients:
If you normally attend under VoCAT funding and you need Telehealth (phone or video consultation), then simply contact us and we will change your appointment from a “clinic” appointment to “Telehealth” appointment. There are no restrictions to who can use Telehealth under VoCAT.
Open Place clients:
If you normally attend under Open Place funding and you need telehealth (phone or video consultation), then simply contact us and we will change your appointment from a “clinic” appointment to “telehealth” appointment. There are no restrictions to who can use telehealth under Open Place.
OzChild clients:
If you normally attend under OzChild funding and you need telehealth (phone or video consultation), then simply contact us and we will change your appointment from a “clinic” appointment to “telehealth” appointment. There are no restrictions to who can use telehealth under OzChild.
Private clients:
If you normally attend privately and you need telehealth (phone or video consultation), then simply contact us and we will change your appointment from a “clinic” appointment to “telehealth” appointment. There are no restrictions to who can use telehealth privately. Please check with your insurer for information about rebates.
Setting up Telehealth
You will need access to a mobile, tablet (e.g. iPad), laptop or desktop. If using a laptop or desktop, please make sure you have a working camera and microphone. There are a number of platforms available for telehealth (e.g. Skype, Zoom, Coviu etc.), and we are in the process of identifying the safest one with regard to privacy, security and reliability.
If you have any questions about telehealth or any other part of your services from Lakeside Psychology, please do not hesitate to contact us on 5941 3575, or by email: admin@lakesidepsychology.com.au.
