The Federal Government plans to make telehealth a permanent fixture for Australian patients. Telehealth has played a critical role in ensuring the continuity of care for Australian patients during the COVID-19 pandemic, offering greater flexibility to health care. Health Minister Greg Hunt announced since March 2020, more than 86.3 million COVID-19 MBS telehealth services have been delivered to 16.1 million patients with more than 89,000 providers have used telehealth services.

In addition, $31.8 million for the Workforce Incentive Program (WIP) will be provided to general practices through the inclusion of ongoing telehealth items in the calculation of the Standard Whole Patient Equivalent (SWPE).

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