Surrey Hills Physiotherapy

What is Telehealth?

It is the provision of healthcare remotely via telecommunications (computer, telephone).

For clients or practitioners that are unable to attend the clinic, a Health Practitioner will be able to communicate to a client through a video call using a computer or phone.

In many cases Telehealth is a very suitable consultation.

How does it work?

For all 1:1 sessions, you only simply need to book an Online consult and you will be emailed a link to access your appointment on both your confirmation and reminder emails. You simply click on this link when it is time for your appointment. For group sessions we are using the software Zoom, and you will be emailed a link on your reminder email.

This allows:

• Clients to directly speak with a health practitioner for advice and education
• A health practitioner can see the client and view any active movements, functional movement, review and supervise exercises
• Screen-share ie. Show any pictures/documents/photo’s/information sheets directly from your screen
• Typed ‘Chat’ which can be saved ie. Saved written documentation such as advice or exercises

Can I claim this under private health?

Most private health funds now allow claiming for telehealth consults. You may need to check with your individual fund is this is covered.

How do I pay?

Payments are done securely over the phone via credit card. All invoices will be emailed to you.

Many conditions that physiotherapists treat are able to be conducted by telehealth, however we are still able to see patients face-to-face if treatment is deemed to be “essential”. Please call the clinic on 9899 0399, and we will organise for you to have a quick chat with one of our physiotherapists about your most suitable method of treatment.

As of this morning both the DHHS and Australian Physiotherapy Association have confirmed that you DO NOT require a GP or Specialist Referral to attend a physiotherapist, or to take part in physiotherapy run exercise rehabilitation groups.

As an ‘essential’ service, Surrey Hills Physiotherapy continues to stay open for all your Physiotherapy needs. We will work together with you to find the method of treatment that suits your requirements, whether face-to-face at the clinic; telehealth via video; or a home visit.

On arrival at Surrey Hills Physio we will take your temperature and ask that you use our hand sanitiser. We have disposable gloves and masks available if you choose. Our practitioners wear masks during treatment. We regularly clean the reception area surfaces including counters; EFT machines; door handles; chair arms etc. We would also appreciate you paying with card.

As our exercise groups are an important part of your rehabilitation, they will also continue to run in the gym and online. Our staff have completed Covid training and our rooms and gym are maintained at a high standard of cleanliness. Our equipment is cleaned during our gym session, with a deeper clean at the end of the group, prior to arrival of the next.

We are here for you. We understand that there are varying levels of anxiety in our community, so please let us know how we can best make you feel comfortable and safe.

Surrey Hills Physiotherapy now has face-to-face physiotherapy and myotherapy appointments available during weekdays. We are still offering video consultations for those choosing to stay home.

Surrey Hills Physiotherapy Centre is now offering Telehealth Consultations. These appointments allow you to have a video consultation with your physiotherapist remotely.

These appointments can be useful for:

• Accessing care if you are in self isolation

• You prefer to stay at home and seek professional expertise

• Have your follow up appointments remotely if exercise prescription and activity modification guidelines are the main elements of your treatment.

Ring the clinic to arrange an appointment 9899 0399 or info@surreyhillsphysio.com.au.

Private health funds are fast tracking access for members to tele-physiotherapy consultations while Australians’ movements are restricted by the COVID 19 pandemic. 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 tele-physiotherapy service has been recommended by their general practitioner 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 30 September 2020, and the service is undertaken in accordance with Australian Physiotherapy Association guidelines.
Health funds will provide coverage for teleconsultations provided by physiotherapists from Tuesday 14 April 2020 subject to the conditions listed above.
Health fund members should check with their health fund to see if they will cover tele-physiotherapy consultations. Some funds may impose additional conditions.

Initially benefit payments will be on production of a receipt from the provider. Patients will have to pay the provider for the consultation and then claim the benefit through their health fund.