What the end of the public health emergency means for telehealth
The end of the United States public health emergency in May 2023 changed the policy environment that had allowed telehealth to expand rapidly. Temporary rules around remote consultations, prescribing, privacy and Medicare reimbursement began to expire or move towards permanent arrangements. The effects have continued to shape digital healthcare markets well beyond the US.
For Australians, the change is best understood as a shift from emergency access to regulated, routine care. Video and phone appointments remain available in Australia, but their use depends on Medicare Benefits Schedule rules, provider eligibility, clinical suitability and state or territory requirements.
Telehealth can still improve access for people in regional Queensland, remote Western Australia and outer suburbs of Sydney or Melbourne. It may reduce travel, time away from work and exposure to crowded waiting rooms. However, remote care is not a universal substitute for an in-person examination, pathology test or urgent assessment.
The new phase places greater emphasis on continuity, privacy, reliable broadband and appropriate clinical judgement. Patients and practices must understand which services attract a Medicare rebate, when a private fee applies and how digital records and prescriptions are handled.
| Area | During emergency expansion | After emergency measures |
|---|---|---|
| Access | Temporary rules widened remote consultations | Ongoing access depends on permanent policy |
| Prescribing | Some restrictions were relaxed | Controlled medicines and identity checks face tighter rules |
| Privacy | Emergency technology allowances applied in some regions | Approved platforms and stronger compliance matter |
| Medicare | Broad temporary reimbursement support | Eligibility, provider and service criteria apply |
| Clinical care | Remote care filled gaps during lockdowns | Hybrid care is preferred when examination is needed |
The public health emergency was largely a US policy issue
The phrase “public health emergency” generally refers to the US federal declaration connected with COVID-19. Its end did not switch off telehealth worldwide, and it did not cancel Australia’s Medicare telehealth services. Instead, it removed or narrowed temporary legal protections and funding arrangements created for an exceptional period.
US providers faced changes involving virtual prescribing, Medicare payment rules, privacy enforcement and cross-state practice. Some temporary waivers were extended, while others were replaced by permanent regulations. The result has been a gradual compliance transition rather than a single cut-off point.
Australian organisations should therefore avoid copying US headlines directly into local policy. The relevant Australian framework is shaped by the MBS, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, the Privacy Act 1988 and state-based health rules.
What it means for Australian patients
Many Australians can still book a telehealth consultation with a GP, psychologist, specialist or allied health professional. Medicare rebates may apply when the patient and practitioner meet specific requirements, including existing clinical relationships or approved service conditions. The exact rules vary by service and can change through federal budget and MBS updates.
A phone appointment may be more practical than video for someone using a prepaid mobile plan, while video can support visual assessment and shared documents. Patients should ask the clinic whether the consultation is bulk billed, privately billed or eligible for a rebate before the appointment begins.
Telehealth is especially useful for follow-up care, medication reviews, mental health support and discussions about test results. New symptoms such as severe chest pain, serious breathing difficulty, sudden weakness or major bleeding require urgent in-person or emergency care.
Medicare, prescriptions and local regulation
Australian electronic prescriptions are now a normal part of primary care, with tokens sent by SMS, email or an app and medicines dispensed through participating pharmacies. This does not mean every medicine can be prescribed remotely without safeguards. Doctors must assess whether a remote consultation is clinically appropriate and comply with rules for medicines that carry dependence or misuse risks.
State and territory legislation can affect prescribing, record keeping, referrals and the delivery of mental health services. A practitioner registered in Australia may also need to consider where the patient is located and whether a specialist service crosses jurisdictional boundaries.
For clinics, the end of emergency arrangements is a reminder to review consent forms, identity checks, clinical escalation procedures and documentation. A reliable telehealth system should record the patient’s location, the people present, the limitations of the assessment and the agreed follow-up plan.
Privacy and cybersecurity become central
Emergency conditions encouraged some providers to adopt whatever communication tools were immediately available. Routine telehealth requires a more deliberate approach. Clinics should use platforms with appropriate security controls, restrict staff access, update devices and explain how recordings, messages and clinical notes are managed.
Patients can improve privacy by choosing a quiet room, using headphones and avoiding public Wi-Fi for sensitive appointments. They should verify a clinic’s payment messages and never share a prescription token or Medicare details through an unverified link.
The broader technology environment also matters. Reporting on digital regulation trends shows how rules can evolve as technology becomes part of everyday life. Healthcare providers need the same habit of monitoring legislation, security expectations and platform changes.
Access gains and the digital divide
Telehealth can make specialist care more reachable for residents of Darwin, regional New South Wales and smaller Tasmanian communities. It can also help parents arrange a short consultation around school hours and allow older people to receive follow-up support without organising transport.
Access is uneven, however. Some households lack a private space, suitable device or stable internet connection. Video quality may deteriorate during peak evening use, and people with hearing, vision, language or cognitive needs may require an interpreter, captioning or a support person.
Practical checks before a remote appointment
- Confirm the fee, Medicare rebate and appointment format
- Test the camera, microphone and internet connection
- Have medicines, symptoms and recent test results ready
- Ask how to obtain a referral, prescription or follow-up booking
Hybrid care is likely to become the standard
The most useful model combines remote and face-to-face appointments. A GP may conduct an initial discussion by video, arrange pathology and then review results online. A psychologist may provide regular sessions remotely while maintaining an in-person option for changing needs.
Specialists can use telehealth to review stable conditions, but physical examinations, imaging, procedures and complex diagnostic decisions still require local services. Hospitals and clinics must create clear pathways so a virtual consultation does not delay necessary treatment.
Hybrid care also supports continuity. A patient should know which clinician is responsible for follow-up, how to contact the practice and what to do if symptoms worsen. Digital convenience has value only when it connects to accountable clinical care.
What healthcare businesses should monitor
Providers should review their telehealth policies whenever the federal government changes MBS item numbers, privacy guidance or prescribing requirements. They should also track platform contracts, data storage locations and whether third-party vendors meet Australian security expectations.
The market is likely to favour services that integrate video, secure messaging, electronic prescriptions, appointment reminders and clinical records. Large hospital networks may build sophisticated systems, while smaller practices can use accredited platforms and documented workflows without developing everything internally.
Signals of a dependable telehealth service
- Clear information about fees, rebates and cancellation rules
- A secure platform with privacy information in plain English
- Easy escalation to a clinic visit or emergency service
- Accessible support for interpreters and disability needs
- Clinicians who explain the limits of remote assessment
What patients can expect next
Telehealth is moving away from emergency improvisation and towards measured integration into primary care, mental health services and specialist follow-up. The strongest services will be judged by clinical outcomes, patient safety and continuity rather than by the number of virtual appointments offered.
Australians should expect variation between providers. A metropolitan clinic may offer same-day video appointments, while a regional service may prioritise phone consultations because of bandwidth or staffing constraints. The end of a US emergency declaration does not remove local options, but it reinforces the importance of checking Australian rules.
Use telehealth when it suits the problem, prepare for the appointment and ask for face-to-face care when a physical assessment is needed. For continuing updates on technology, health and public policy, follow Ub24News updates and use reliable local health services as your next point of care.