More than 2.2 million Aussies will have access to several free telehealth consults with doctors, in a private health insurance first, as part of a cost-of-living health measure, aimed at also relieving strains on emergency hospital departments and GPs.
Through Bupa’s digital health platform, Blua, eligible Bupa health insurance members will pay zero out of pocket costs for three telehealth bookings per person, per year, as part of their policy. They will have 24/7 access to doctors for consultations that may include general medical advice, repeat prescriptions or referrals.
Results from a ten month-long trial of Blua online doctors revealed most calls occurred outside business hours with 72% resolved on the initial call, 15% were recommended to visit a GP in person and only 1% advised to go to a hospital emergency department.
Bupa Clinical Director Dr Simon Benson said demand for telehealth services remained popular with patients due to its accessibility and convenience.
“This is about making medical care accessible and affordable 24/7 while taking some of the pressure off hospital emergency departments in the afterhours period,” he said.
“Blua telehealth can also play an important role in assisting where patient demand is high and where there are long wait times to see a local GP.”
Dr Benson said 91% of telehealth consultations were delivered via video consultations, as many patients still wanted face to face connection with their doctor, while the remainder were telephone consults.
Data from the online doctor trial revealed consultations for cough, fever, cold and headache were most common, followed by prescriptions or medical certificates.
As part of Blua, many of Bupa’s 4.4 million customers also have access to an online door-to-door chemist delivery service. Since launching earlier this year, most of the orders have been for e-scripts which have free delivery.
Dr Benson said Blua online doctors and chemist delivery were about simple, person-centred care.
“The pandemic has changed how people want to access their healthcare and we are making sure it fits in with their changing health and wellbeing needs,” he said.
