24/7 Bulk Billed GP Telehealth Consults (for Medicare Eligible Patients) @ NewDoc

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24/7 Bulk Billed GP Telehealth Consults (for Medicare Eligible Patients) @ NewDoc
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AssociatedLlorangez on 18/03/2026 - 10:46 newdoc.com.au (2375 clicks)

Sharing this for anyone struggling to find a bulk billing GP!

There's an Australian telehealth service called NewDoc that offers bulk-billed GP consultations for Medicare-eligible patients. Consultations are via video with AHPRA-registered, Australian-based GPs.

Disclosure: I'm affiliated with NewDoc.

What stands out compared to other telehealth services posted here:

  • Daytime hours available: not just after-hours. You can see a doctor from 8am-11pm
  • Actual GPs: consultations are with registered General Practitioners, not nurse practitioners.
  • No hidden fees for certificates or scripts: sick certificates and prescriptions are included as part of the bulk-billed consult. No $14.90 add-on like some other services.

Could be useful if you:

  • Can't find a bulk billing GP near you
  • Need a same-day consult and your regular GP is booked out for weeks
  • Need a sick certificate, repeat script, or referral

Worth noting:

  • You need a valid Medicare card
  • Availability is location-dependent. Bulk-billed consults are available in eligible areas under current Medicare telehealth provisions. Most of Australia is covered. You can check your eligibility by making a booking.
  • Not an emergency service — call 000 for emergencies

Happy to answer any questions in the comments.

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Comments

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  • MrZ on 18/03/2026 - 10:48
    +9

    How does a GP check your heart rate and blood pressure via video?

    • SetTheFaqUp on 18/03/2026 - 10:50
      +2

      AI

    • vawiyoci on 18/03/2026 - 10:53
      +3

      Drone delivers a rental one then you put it back after you're done.

    • Associatedlorangez @ NewDoc on 18/03/2026 - 10:58
      +19

      They'll be referring you to an in person service if needed. Telehealth definitely can't address everything.

      • ozbking on 18/03/2026 - 11:10
        -6

        Which happens to fragment care

        In many ways, this is no better than a pharmacist consult - really just for medical certificates, and in my experience, pretty poor antibiotic stewardship

        • Associatedlorangez @ NewDoc on 18/03/2026 - 11:18
          +8

          Hi Ozbking, really appreciate your interest. NewDoc only hires fully specialised General Practitioners who keep antibiotic stewardship in mind. They are also aware of the limitations that telehealth brings, they don't pretend to be a physical clinic.

          NewDoc can see all presentations that you would see with your regular GP via telehealth. These are a few common ones:
          - Coughs and colds
          - Repeat scripts
          - Medical certificates
          - Blood test referrals
          - Imaging referrals
          - Weight loss
          - Sexual health
          - Mental health

          Hope that helps!

          • Jaxx on 19/03/2026 - 07:03

            @lorangez: Are scripts, certs and letters posted out or are they electronic?

        • Big L on 18/03/2026 - 14:48
          -4

          Pharmacists are better AB stewards than GPs, but you gotta keep people coming in for an appointment to keep the money coming in, right?

          These services are a godsend for people looking for repeat scripts, people who are time-poor with crappy employers, people in poverty, and in remote places.

          If the RACGP, AMA and Pharmacy Guild could stop screwing people on how to prescibe and dispense medication, these types of services would be less likely to succeed. A $5B payment to pharmacists to enable doubling the medication dispensed was a farce.

          • ozbking on 18/03/2026 - 15:45
            +5

            @Big L: How are they better at antibiotic stewardship? My local Chemist Warehouse give out Chlorsig like candy for every eye discharge, and even refer every skin boil for antibiotics.

            Worse still, one tried to sell my patient Ventolin when guidelines and my script was basically switch them from Ventolin to Symbicort.

            • Big L on 18/03/2026 - 16:22
              -5

              @ozbking: Your anecdotes show that patients are trying not to go to a GP, likely for the reasons I mentioned. I'm dubious on a claim (probably a misunderstanding from your patient) that a pharmacist would bother "trying to sell" ventolin when they already had a script.

              But a pharmacist handing out broad spectrum antibiotics for an issue - that's not like amoxil handed out like lollies by GPs for any kind of ENT issue?!

              Are you seriously going to suggest GPs have a better understanding of medication and the interaction of different types than GPs? Most GPs rely on software to make sure they don't kill anyone, let alone have a good understanding of how some can negate others for diffierent patient issues. If a medication review needs to be done in hospital, they don't call for a GP, specialist or surgeon, do they?

              https://www.abc.net.au/news/health/2026-02-25/home-medicine-…

              • AgroMcHung on 18/03/2026 - 23:51
                -1

                @Big L: Chlorsig is useless for most red eyes, including bacterial conjunctivitis, which is self limiting and has no evidence to support the use of bacteriostatics, so for the low price of $7.99, you too can contribute to AB resistance.

              • ozbking on 19/03/2026 - 03:43
                +3

                @Big L: Chloramphenicol is actually significantly broader spectrum than amoxicillin.

                No it was not a misunderstanding of my patient on Ventolin, she actually explained everything, which prompted an email to the pharmacy. The pharmacist actually admitted this and apologised to me, not understanding SMART.
                Admittedly it’s not common for pharmacists to do this, and in generally I find our interactions quite professional.

                My software has nothing stopping me prescribing anything dangerous, so not sure what you’re on about here. Care to give a more specific example?

                Pharmacists do help a lot but diagnosis and synthesis isn’t exactly part of their curriculum. If I could have a workflow where a nurse takes the history, I do the synthesis, and the pharmacist explains the treatment, I’d be happy.

                • Big L on 19/03/2026 - 11:05
                  -4

                  @ozbking: You keep walking into the same part of the argument, this time with your last line.

                  GPs attitude of being the master of all diagnoses is a costly bottleneck for healthcare. People can't spend the time and money for a service that they deem doesn't need it. The arbitrary process of having to get a repeat script from a GP is futile for a lot of people and unfortunately they're going to make their own determination on whether it's necessary. This situation is the making of GPs and Pharmacies, and the result is services like the OP.

        • IM-Cheap on 18/03/2026 - 15:48
          +2

          You have to show up for a pharmacist consult and the last one I went to charged for the consultation.

      • Adam22 on 18/03/2026 - 13:14
        +1

        Is this similar to other services who "refer" to pharmacists to conduct blood pressures and heart rate?

    • HitlersDad on 18/03/2026 - 19:58

      At some point in the future I see plug in devices for this that send the data. Would be good.

      • MrZ on 19/03/2026 - 02:03

        In the mean time I guess the doc just asks you to put your finger on your wrist and count to 30?

    • SydneyHer on 19/03/2026 - 08:44
      -1

      Your watch can do heart rate and blood pressure monitor can do blood pressure

      • MrZ on 19/03/2026 - 13:31
        -1

        I don't have a watch.

    • bcYield on 19/03/2026 - 09:06

      Use your home equipment? I guess this can be a way for another covid or war time, and while overseas.

      • MrZ on 20/03/2026 - 02:58

        War time?

        • bcYield on 20/03/2026 - 18:00

          Trump has been on it. Just waiting for the putin's response.

    • DJR9000 on 30/03/2026 - 20:39

      It's pretty cheap to just buy a BP monitor that has HR. i have two of the ones from A&D from amazon… they do HR as well

  • Lucille Bluth on 18/03/2026 - 10:49
    +2

    Need a sick certificate

    What's the location that is stated on these certs?

    • Associatedlorangez @ NewDoc on 18/03/2026 - 10:56
      +1

      It'll be based on the location of the clinic, which is in NSW.

  • SetTheFaqUp on 18/03/2026 - 10:51
    +13

    Feels like a new NDIS brewing.

    • Some Random Guy on 18/03/2026 - 12:44
      +2

      If anyone can figure out the government sponsored medicare "sex therapy" let me know!

      • backupper1 on 18/03/2026 - 16:35
        +1

        its in NDIS, so lookup the providers in western sydney area.

  • ozbking on 18/03/2026 - 11:02
    -7

    Bulk billing restrictions are quite restrictive. If you haven’t seen the doctor face to face in the last 12 months,
    Or living remotely,
    Most consults CAN’T be bulk billed

    It’s the problem of these clinics, advertising something with many asterisk

    • Associatedlorangez @ NewDoc on 18/03/2026 - 11:12
      +7

      Hi Ozbking, I can confirm that you don't need to see NewDoc doctors face to face in the last 12 months, to be bulk billed for telehealth.

      This is the case if you have a valid medicare card AND live in an eligible area as mentioned in the post.

      • Jaxx on 19/03/2026 - 07:17
        -2

        Is 5167 covered?

  • gamemaster on 18/03/2026 - 11:04
    +13

    Leaving out critical information appears to be deceptive IMO:

    a) All In-Person Appointments will be bulk billed, while Telehealth Appointments will only be bulk billed if you have attended an In-Person Appointment with us within the last 12 months.

    That was hidden in the T&Cs of their website.

    • Associatedlorangez @ NewDoc on 18/03/2026 - 11:31
      +9

      This was a mistake from the team and it has been amended. You don't require an in person appointment in the last 12 months to be bulk billed by NewDoc

      • SetTheFaqUp on 18/03/2026 - 12:51
        +3

        "You don't require an in person appointment in the last 12 months to be bulk billed by NewDoc"

        This, sound more concerning.

    • boo12121 on 18/03/2026 - 18:46
      +6

      Agreed! I'm a GP and I can't do a bulk billed telehealth consult with patients I've actually SEEN in person if it was >12 months ago. How these services are getting away with it, with no opportunity for them to review a patient in person if required, I have no idea.
      There's no continuity of care with these. Just doing 6 minute consults and wasting Medicare funding.

      • R3XNebular on 18/03/2026 - 19:08
        +1

        What's your reason for the negative though?

        • Russ on 18/03/2026 - 19:18
          +3

          Some of the telehealth providers are charging the government $400 per consultation, according to comments in previous similar deals.

        • heal on 23/03/2026 - 00:33
          +1

          People are going to use this service rather than see a GP for 6 minutes and get a prescription or a certificate.

      • HitlersDad on 18/03/2026 - 19:59
        +2

        Beats waiting in gp for delayed appointments or weeks to get in.

  • Associatedlorangez @ NewDoc on 18/03/2026 - 11:07
    -1

    Hi Gamemaster, where are you finding that? I can confirm that condition is no longer true. I'll ask the team to remove that.

    This is 100% confirmed: You DON'T need to have an in person appointment in the last 12 months to have a telehealth consult with NewDoc.

    • gamemaster on 18/03/2026 - 11:13
      +3

      It’s on your website. It’s concerning you aren’t aware of your own terms and conditions.

      https://www.newdoc.com.au/terms-and-conditions

      Please show us where the 12 month rule is no longer required for Telehealth services? I am not aware of any Medicare changes regarding this.

      • Associatedlorangez @ NewDoc on 18/03/2026 - 11:22

        NewDoc started as an in person clinic so that is definitely our mistake. Thank you very much for pointing it out.

        You can refer to the official documentation via this link:

        https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2025-11/askmbs…

        • gamemaster on 18/03/2026 - 11:30
          +6

          from the link you posted

          Definition of eligible telehealth practitioner
          An ‘eligible telehealth practitioner is defined as:
          • the medical practitioner or NP who performs the service has provided a face-to-face
          service (that was billed to Medicare) to the patient in the last 12 months; or
          • the medical practitioner or NP who performs the service is located at a medical or nurse
          practitioner practice, and the patient has had a face-to-face service arranged by that
          practice in the last 12 months.

          Again how is this condition met if you don’t require a face to face service?

          • Associatedlorangez @ NewDoc on 18/03/2026 - 11:32
            -7

            @gamemaster: Please refer to:

            Specific exemption categories
            The patient is:
            • Under the age of 12 months.
            • Homeless (see Notes below).
            • Isolating because of a COVID-related State or Territory public health order, or in COVID19 quarantine because of a State or Territory public health order. NB: This provision is
            retained in the regulation but is idle until activated by jurisdictions implementing relevant
            public health orders.
            • Affected by natural disaster, defined as living in a local government area declared a
            natural disaster by a State or Territory Government (see Notes below).

            • gamemaster on 18/03/2026 - 11:38
              +11

              @lorangez: So you are suggesting only the above exempt categories can receive bulk billed Telehealth services and anyone else not in the category can not if they have not been seen in person at your clinic in the last 12 month?

              Seems like critical information left out of your post and website.

                • gamemaster on 18/03/2026 - 11:45
                  +20

                  @lorangez: How on earth can 95% of your patients either be under 12 months of age, homeless, someone experiencing a natural disaster or a positive COVID-19 case? The numbers don’t stack up.

                  Those exemption are

                  Under legislation, the eligible telehealth practitioner requirement for relevant medical
                  practitioner items indicated above does not apply if:

                  Not vice versa.

                  • Associatedlorangez @ NewDoc on 18/03/2026 - 11:51
                    -6

                    @gamemaster: One of the main qualifier is if you reside in an area listed as a disaster impacted zone. You can refer to this website for the full list:

                    https://www.disasterassist.gov.au/find-a-disaster/australian…

                    I really appreciate your curiosity and the work you're doing to keep ozbargain the great platform its meant to be. I'm not sure what else to say except that we are trying to provide bulk billed services to as many people as possible, in a medicare compliant way, by specialist GPs only.

                    • grant17 on 18/03/2026 - 12:33
                      +32

                      @lorangez: As a GP, I would like to say that I'm this is an absolute load of absolute crap.

                      To say 95 percent of people live in a disaster impacted zone is ridiculous and is quite clearly a loophole you are exploiting.

                      The whole reason that this exemption exists is for people who are caught up in a bushfire or flood etc, so they can access care when they otherwise can't.

                      The 12 months rule exists for continuity of care.

                      This loophole has to close and your business will be rightfully impacted.

                      • EBC on 18/03/2026 - 12:46
                        +9

                        @grant17: Are they using the "Severe weather event (Jan 14)" to say that everyone in NSW is in a disaster area in March? Am I understanding that correctly? That is really a rort…

                        • aussman on 18/03/2026 - 12:48
                          +6

                          @EBC: Yep, and it’s the gps who’s provider numbers have been used to bill who will be before department of health and AHPRA if investigated

                          • Big L on 18/03/2026 - 14:49

                            @aussman: GPs being investigated and any kind of punishment for this would be a joke given what AHPRA let slide.

                          • ozbking on 19/03/2026 - 03:46
                            +6

                            @aussman: I’ve already put a report in to PSR to investigate this

                            • Adam22 on 19/03/2026 - 11:34
                              +2

                              @ozbking: Love your work.

                              Imagine NewDoc thinking advertising on OzB was a good idea, only to end up audited and forced to reimburse Medicare because of it.

                        • cwan on 18/03/2026 - 21:03
                          +1

                          @EBC: @lorangez: can you please confirm if this is correct? A simple yes or no will suffice.

            • brenwildman on 18/03/2026 - 23:04
              +3

              @lorangez: "Most of Australia is covered" - what a fraud

  • Weshouldgetsushi on 18/03/2026 - 11:16

    Are these doctors based overseas?

    • Associatedlorangez @ NewDoc on 18/03/2026 - 11:24
      +2

      All GPs on our platform are on Australian soil at the time of the consult. They have all gained their full fellowship from The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. (RACGP)

  • Lucille Bluth on 18/03/2026 - 12:16
    +24

    I don't understand the hate for these online services. It saves me so much time in getting my scripts filled - had my script filled a week ago through another online bulk billed service, from booking made to script filled it was 15 minutes. This was also after hours while watching tv.

    They clearly can't do everything but for stuff like getting scripts filled it, it saves me so much work and effort.

    • Water Bearer on 18/03/2026 - 12:25
      +9

      Honestly its probaly other medical businesses downvoting their competitors. There is no real negative for having these online services. Especially as its free! The people saying otherwise have certain agendas of their own to bad mouth them.

      • SlickMick on 20/03/2026 - 10:47
        +2

        or because medicare is not an unlimited source of funds, and we seem to be looking for ways to drain that source more efficiently

    • nospirit on 18/03/2026 - 12:27
      +7

      I agree, I think this service is fine for scripts refill and sick cert, which is probably what most will use it for.

      • SetTheFaqUp on 18/03/2026 - 12:53
        -2

        "sick cert"

        Your local pharmacist can probably do it.

        • Fredfloresjr on 18/03/2026 - 13:12
          +11

          Yes for $20

        • andymatter on 18/03/2026 - 13:16
          +2

          Or you could do it from the couch at home using this service.

          • V2L on 18/03/2026 - 13:25
            -1

            @andymatter: or you could get a stat dec in 30sec without wasting tax payer money

            • Big L on 18/03/2026 - 15:02
              +3

              @V2L: How do you downvote this, yet care about taxpayer funds? It was okay to go to the GP for a certificate, but not to do it with telehealth?

            • IM-Cheap on 18/03/2026 - 15:58

              @V2L: You can but then you risk spending time arguing with your employer about it. Yes you'd 100% be in the right - but is the argument really worth your time? I

              • V2L on 18/03/2026 - 17:18
                -4

                @IM-Cheap: my employer has never questioned it.

                @Big L i don't understand your logic nor your question

    • ozbking on 19/03/2026 - 03:48
      +7

      It’s not hate for these services, telehealth is valid and helpful, it’s the fraud of trying to bulk bill by counting everyone in a disaster zone

      Unfortunately Telehealth, especially by phone is quite limited in terms of long term care, and unfortunately for older patients this isn’t generally a good option

  • grant17 on 18/03/2026 - 12:35
    +19

    I'm a GP.

    The amount of scripts being dished out for Augmentin by telehealth agencies is absurd.

    Please tell me if you have a policy regarding antibiotics stewardship?

    • Fredfloresjr on 18/03/2026 - 12:37
      -8

      Do you really think GPs would care about antibiotics stewardship? Hell nah! You get MSU result, you put them on ABs straightaway.

      • ozbking on 18/03/2026 - 13:22
        +5

        Not sure how you practice, even therapeutic guidelines don’t suggest even treating for many UTI, or even collecting urine.

        • Fredfloresjr on 18/03/2026 - 13:27
          -5

          Not when you are an elderly, the chances of you getting delirious and Urosepsis is rapid.

          Used to be ED nurse but can tell you ABs are for everyone. Never ever trust GPs are doing the right thing when it comes to ABs stewardship.

          • ozbking on 18/03/2026 - 15:20
            +9

            @Fredfloresjr: I work as an emergency physician and a GP.

            It’s easy to argue there are a number of GPs who don’t practice antibiotic stewardship, but in the ED you only see the cases that are problematic.

            Plenty are well treated and kept out of the ED.

            Downplaying GP’s skills and role does a huge disservice for the community.

      • V2L on 18/03/2026 - 13:26
        +1

        sounds like someone needs to do some CPD

        • Fredfloresjr on 18/03/2026 - 13:29
          -4

          Tell that to GPs and Nurse Practitioners. I am just someone who is very strict with ABs prescriptions with my residents. Yes, 9 years Aged Care Manager now and counting.

          I was so thankful Commission steps in and implement this strict rules about prescribing ABs, but Aged Care is just one Department.

    • thirstyfordeals on 18/03/2026 - 13:37
      +2

      I'm a doctor too and I think the way antibiotics are sold is a bit crazy. One of my patients called in with a sore throat, and the doctor just asked why they called and then immediately gave them antibiotics, no questions asked!

  • Fredfloresjr on 18/03/2026 - 12:36
    +2

    Tf these people negging this post, do you really have an idea what is this service for?

    Lol.

  • sacs2k1 on 18/03/2026 - 12:41
    +9

    Why the negs? Thanks OP - I'll surely use the service when I need it.

  • Vallani on 18/03/2026 - 12:46
    +11

    Doctors getting butthurt because they don’t like the idea of patients avoiding a $110 consult for the simplest of ailments.

    Let the patient have a choice about the type of service they want.

    It’s not up to the doctor’s union to dictate the general practitioner business model.

    • SetTheFaqUp on 18/03/2026 - 19:43
      +4

      "the doctor’s union"

      No such a thing unless you are a salaried practitioner - ASMOF

  • bashar20 on 18/03/2026 - 12:47
    +8

    Good to have the option.

  • ChatGPT on 18/03/2026 - 12:52
    +1

    Is there a list of things we could get? Asking for a friend…

  • R3XNebular on 18/03/2026 - 12:57
    +6

    Excellent post! I was spending $15 for med cert. This will make it easier.

    • PlasmaCatcher on 18/03/2026 - 13:36
      +1

      Try the free 'Statutory Declaration' if accepted by your employer

      • R3XNebular on 18/03/2026 - 14:49

        I work for gov. Won't accept it, has been raised several times internally.

        • John Dough on 18/03/2026 - 18:44
          +2

          You need to threaten them with fair work as what they are telling you contradicts the fair work minimum standards that employers in Australia must accept. https://www.fairwork.gov.au/leave/sick-and-carers-leave/paid…

          • R3XNebular on 18/03/2026 - 22:19
            +1

            @John Dough: "An award or registered agreement can specify when an employee has to give evidence to their employer and what type of evidence they have to give. The type of evidence requested must always be reasonable in the circumstances."

            This is applicable to my situation. The agreement/award stipulates med cert.

  • EtherealArchelon on 18/03/2026 - 12:57
    +14

    Using the "disaster zone" loophole to bulk bill. Ethically murky.

    • Fredfloresjr on 18/03/2026 - 13:11
      -3

      GP getting the tax money or to DOLE bludgers? You choose

      • Big L on 18/03/2026 - 14:29
        +4

        Dole bludgers - there's less doled out to them than bogus claims by business, but it's easier to catagorise individuals as bludging than a corporation.

      • ozbking on 19/03/2026 - 03:51
        +3

        The issue isn’t where the money is going, it’s the ethics. If an unemployed person lied about their employment (eg receiving cash on the side), we would be upset.

        In this case, these Medicare rules were set up to avoid fragmentation of care, which causes increased wastage of X-rays and blood tests, as well as 2 minute medicine. (Sore throat? Take antibiotics instead of explaining why they don’t work in a viral infection)

  • Kanjus on 18/03/2026 - 13:02
    -3

    To bulk bill, patients need to have consulted the gp in person within the last 12 months

    • R3XNebular on 18/03/2026 - 13:18
      -2

      Did you read the post above?

      • Fredfloresjr on 18/03/2026 - 13:30
        +3

        Nah, he saw there is 1 or 2 neg, he went straight to comment and copy someone's comment to justify his neg.

        • Kanjus on 18/03/2026 - 15:13
          +7

          I work in healthcare. I know the rules. This is in breach of the rules

          • IM-Cheap on 18/03/2026 - 16:03
            +6

            @Kanjus: It seems more like its a creative use of a current loophole.

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