Telehealth Appointments

An online doctor’s appointment, also known as a telehealth consultation or virtual doctor visit, is a modern healthcare service used across Australia. It allows patients to consult with online doctors via phone. Telehealth appointments are especially beneficial for Australians seeking general medical advice without visiting a clinic in person. Online doctor appointments are ideal for non-urgent healthcare needs, including prescription renewals, medical certificates, and referrals for blood tests and medical imaging.

Stagger offers a range of telehealth services, including telehealth appointments, online prescriptions, medical certificates, and referrals for blood tests and medical imaging. Stagger provides convenient and accessible healthcare for adults 18 and over in Australia. This age requirement ensures all users can responsibly manage their health needs online.

Telehealth appointments have several benefits over in-person visits, particularly for people in rural and remote areas. They’re more convenient, allowing you to see a doctor from home. They save time as there’s no travel needed, often have shorter wait times, and can fit easily into your schedule. Plus, telehealth is safer during flu season since it reduces contact with others.

Note that there are situations where seeing a doctor in person is essential, especially for conditions requiring a physical examination.

A standard telehealth GP consultation costs $49 regardless of how long it takes and what prescriptions, medical certificates, or referrals you need. It’s important to note that telehealth consultations are not eligible for Medicare rebates and we cannot bulk bill telehealth. This fixed price ensures transparent and upfront costs for accessing healthcare services from the comfort of your home.

Bulk bill telehealth appointments are typically only available for doctors or practices you have visited in person during the last 12 months. This means the cost of an online doctor’s appointment ($49) is not covered under Medicare’s bulk billing and must be paid directly by the patient.

The wait time for a call can vary depending on whether you choose to schedule an appointment or join the queue. Generally, telehealth appointments are available on the same day, and patients in the queue can expect a call within a few hours (often under 15 minutes). However, wait times depend on specific circumstances and demand at that time.

You will receive an SMS prior to your appointment to alert you. If you still miss the call, your clinician will retry. If they don’t reach you after a second try, we will invite you to rebook or join the queue again (at no extra cost).

During telehealth appointments, prescribing medications is entirely up to the doctor’s judgement based on what’s best for you. However, our online doctors cannot prescribe certain medications, specifically those classified as Schedule 8, restricted, controlled or streamlined authority medications. This limitation ensures patient safety and adherence to medical guidelines.

To receive your blood test results, your clinician will schedule a follow-up telehealth doctor’s appointment for you. When you receive the notification of this appointment, simply book your preferred time, and your clinician will explain your results.

You must have an Individual Health Identifier (IHI) to consult with a telehealth doctor and for us to issue eScripts. In some cases, we can retrieve your IHI from the information provided during sign-up. In most other cases, we can obtain it from your Medicare or DVA card.

If you don’t have a Medicare or DVA card or prefer not to share that information, you can verify your identity using our Digital ID process – a secure online service from Australia Post that requires details from your ID documents. Please note that if you opt for Digital ID verification, we won’t be able to issue eScripts.

Whether looking for a telehealth appointment in Queensland (QLD), New South Wales (NSW), Victoria, or Western Australia, our medical team provides telehealth to individuals in all Australian states and territories.

To request an online medical certificate for 1-3 days, simply request one here. For longer durations, schedule a telehealth consultation and inform your online doctor or nurse practitioner about your need for a telehealth medical certificate.