In the wake of Covid-19 health care changed in Australia. One of the major changes was the rapid adoption of online scripts. Through online systems, patients can now make an order online without leaving their home. In fact, in some cases you can even use your Medicare coverage to reduce or eliminate your out-of-pocket costs.
Yet with every disruptive change, there are always effects and unintended consequences. In this post, you will uncover how online scripts in Australia are bulk billed and the overall effects this has had on patient care.
What Are Online Prescriptions?
Online prescriptions are an order from a doctor that you can use to receive your medication from a pharmacy. Then, you will receive a token or a link that you can submit to a pharmacy. This ensures that you can only use your script once.
When it comes to the bulk billed option, your Medicare coverage reduces the cost of these scripts. The national insurance is able to do this by leveraging the Medicare levy and its its general revenue.
If you do not have a Medicare insurance, your other options are to use a private insurance to lower your costs or to pay the full, out-of-pocket price.
How Online Prescriptions Changed Patient Care
In the few years that these online scripts have been available, telehealth services have processed prescriptions tens of millions of times. In fact, the majority of pharmacies facilitate escripts. Although there have been issues with lag, navigation issues, and glitches, this development has also brought forward the following changes:
Quickens Prescription Process
To start with, the use of online prescriptions reduced the time it takes for you to receive a prescription. This is because of the following reasons:
- Flexible appointments: Unlike walk-in clinics, there are many telehealth services that operate at all times, ensuring you quickly get your prescription.
- Emergency allowances: If you are about to run out of your prescription, many telehealth services will see to you with little to know delay.
- No poor handwriting: Since the system is all electronic, you will not waste time as the pharmacist confirms what was written on a traditional paper prescription.
- No misplaced prescription: Since you will have a token that you can access by logging into the telehealth platform, you will never lose your prescription. Meanwhile, traditional prescriptions are easily lost and require another visit to the doctor.
- Home delivery: Some telehealth services allow you to request a home delivery, which may be faster depending on your lifestyle.
Increases Prescription Availability
Since the process is online, prescriptions are more available. Not only can you request your prescription from anywhere in Australia, but you can also choose your delivery mode. Therefore, even if you leave in the outback, you can receive your prescription and possibly even have it delivered to your home.
Enhances Affordability
Online prescriptions have also reduced the price of seeing a doctor for a prescription. This is because you see your doctor online and so you do not have to pay for transport to your appointment. It also eliminates the need to get childcare as your are indisposed during a doctor’s visit.
Cost Transparency
Lastly, online scripts have made costs more transparent. Before you even start your video consultation, you will be able to compare prices of the examination and the prescription. Then, you will be able to learn how the cost will change depending on your insurance coverage status.
How to Get an Online Prescription
Now that you understand how patient care has improved due to escripts, you might wonder how to order one. Although different telehealth services have their own process, you will probably need to follow these general steps:
- Schedule an appointment: To receive an online prescription, you will need an online doctors appointment for them to asses your condition and give you a relevant prescription. Depending on the service, you may need to create an account with the platform.
- Speak with a doctor: After you schedule an appointment, your doctor will examine you. Usually, this appointment will occur through a video conference application.
- Choose delivery method: Once you have gone through the appointment, the doctor will write your prescription. Then, you will need to choose how you wish to collect your prescription.
- Receive your token: Finally, you will receive your token. From there you will collect your medication from the location you submitted.
What is the Best Place to Get an Online Prescription?
With so many choices of telehealth services, finding one that is trustworthy can be difficult. That is why you should use Primemedic. They are Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) compliant and have a certification for their online services.
When you use their services, you will find clearly listed prices that are fair. Furthermore, they offer video consultations from anywhere in Australia and at nay time. Moreover, their prescription processing takes a maximum of 15 minutes and you can use bulk billing.
Final Note
Now you know that online prescriptions have improved Australian health care by making it more convenient. In particular, you can receive your consultation from anywhere and get your prescription issued at your home or your nearest pharmacy. In addition, the process is much faster because the electronic system is less prone to human error. Plus, the pricing is affordable and transparent.
To receive these services are available at all times, seek out certified telehealth service providers such as Primemedic. They have a simple and compliant prescription request system that ensures you receive your prescription within 15 minutes.
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