​

​Need answers fast? Call us on (03) 9650 1347 

General

What is a telehealth physiotherapy consultation?
A telehealth consultation is an online, real time consultation with a physiotherapist via video call/conference. A telehealth consultation is similar to seeing your physiotherapist face-to-face, but instead you communicate via a video call on your mobile phone, laptop or PC. This allows you to talk and interact online with your physiotherapist from the comfort of your own home. Although telehealth consultations are not the usual practice of Physio On Collins and the Melbourne Dance and Performer’s Clinic, this service will allow you to access your physiotherapist appointments safely and conveniently, while coronavirus distancing rules are in place.
Why would I want to use telehealth?
Telehealth appointments will enable your physiotherapist to assess your injury or condition and then provide you with education and advice regarding self-management while you are staying at home. Your physiotherapist will also be able to provide you with an exercise program you can undertake using the space and equipment that you have at home, and can provide advice about the best way to set up your home work space so that its ergonomics assist with injury prevention and management.
​What conditions can I consult for with telehealth?
Through telehealth, you can consult a physiotherapist for all of the usual issues you would see them for. These include:
  • Acute or chronic musculoskeletal injuries for any area of the body – for example foot and ankle injuries;
  • Acute or chronic low back pain; and
  • Neck pain, knee pain, hip pain, and shoulder or arm pain.
Is telehealth as good as my usual face-to-face physiotherapy consultation?
Telehealth will be different to your usual physiotherapy appointment in that your physiotherapist cannot provide you with manual therapy treatment. This means that your consultation will focus on other physiotherapy modalities including:
  • Self-treatment – which can include stretches, self-massage, use of a spikey ball or a foam roller;
  • Education regarding your injury or condition;
  • Providing advice about what you should and should not do with your current injury,
  • Prescribing exercises that you can complete at home with the space and equipment that you have available.

Appointments

Are there privacy concerns regarding telehealth?
Your telehealth consultation will be provided via Coviu. Coviu is a reliable cloud platform for video and audio conferencing across mobile devices, tablets, desktops and laptops. This platform has been chosen by Physio On Collins because of its secure connection and its ease of use for clients.
Is my telehealth consultation recorded?
No, your consultation will not be recorded. Your physiotherapist will document notes about your consultation as they do after any consultation, which follows the medico legal requirements set out by AHPRA (the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency).
How do I set up telehealth for my first consultation?
Booking a telehealth consultation is a two-step process:
  1. Booking your appointment with our reception staff.
  2. Click the meeting link in the email sent to you by Physio on Collins.
    ​
When you first book in for your telehealth appointment, Physio On Collins will first send you an email with a link that will take you directly to your Zoom meeting.
What devices can I access telehealth from?
You can access your telehealth appointment from your computer, tablet or phone, whether it is an Android, Apple or Microsoft device. This allows you to access your telehealth appointment from wherever you are most comfortable to complete your assessment.
I can’t load my telehealth appointment. What can I do? Can I contact my physiotherapist?
Please call the front desk on (03) 9560 1347 or email [email protected] if you are having issues with your zoom meeting link.
What happens if there are internet issues and I get disconnected from my telehealth appointment?
If there are internet issues you can reconnect to your conversation through the same link that you initially connected to the telehealth consult with. If that is not working, you can contact your physiotherapist on the numbers provided above so that you can reschedule your time. We understand that this may occur from time to time due to currently overloaded telecommunication services. ​

Payment

Am I eligible for a telehealth consultation and can my telehealth consultation be claimed under my private health insurance?
All of our clients are eligible for a physiotherapy telehealth consultation. However, due to the rapidly evolving COVID-19 situation, there still remain some questions about whether private health insurance companies will provide benefits for telehealth services. Please read the text box below, which provides some guidance from the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA). 

APA Guidance
Several private health funds have agreed to provide benefits for individual (one on one) physiotherapy teleconsultations where:
  • The customer is undergoing an existing course of treatment and the customer has seen the physiotherapist over the past six months; or
  • For new patients, the telehealth service has been recommended by their general practitioner (GP) or relevant medical specialist; and
  • The primary condition being treated is one of:
    • Post orthopaedic surgery rehabilitation (e.g. Total hip or knee replacement)
    • Chronic musculoskeletal condition (e.g. osteoarthritis)
    • Cardiac rehabilitation
    • Pulmonary rehabilitation, or
    • Pelvic floor muscle training
    • The service is delivered before 30th September 2020; and
    • The service is undertaken in accordance with Australian Physiotherapy Association guidelines.

​We will continue to keep this page updated as more information becomes available to us. It is best if you contact your private health insurer to ask for details about what they do and do not cover.
HOW DO Health fund payments WORK?
Health funds will provide coverage for physiotherapist teleconsultations from Tuesday 14 April 2020, subject to the conditions listed in the text box above.

Health fund members should also check with their health fund to see if they are covered for physiotherapy telehealth consultations. Please note that some funds may impose additional conditions.

Initially, benefit payments will only be made if a receipt is provided by the physiotherapist.  Patients will need to pay for the consultation, and then they can claim the benefit through their health fund. 
​
Please also note that, unlike face-to-face services, claiming systems and health fund processes are not set up to deliver benefits for telehealth services automatically. A range of peak bodies and industry groups are working to address the system issues as quickly as possible.

Please refer to the following link for more information: https://australian.physio/media/australian-health-funds-announce-tele-physiotherapy-consultations?fbclid=IwAR3yA2hmncK46Vz0rPqerZG-n07nabHWJtctChXd5VkJC4st6urz0HTaGaM
How much does a telehealth consultation cost?
Please contact us at Physio on Collins and the Melbourne Dance Clinic for a telehealth fee schedule.
​How do you manage payments for telehealth?
​After your consultation, Physio On Collins will email you an invoice which will have details on the payment process for your consultation. Once you have paid your invoice, Physio on Collins will email you your receipt so that you can then process your claim through your private health fund to receive any benefits that you may be entitled to under your individual cover.