Question 1

Can I get the contraceptive pill without seeing a doctor in-person?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can get a contraceptive pill prescription without an in-person doctor’s visit, if it’s for a medication you are currently taking. Thanks to Healthengine & our partners, you can have a quick telehealth consultation to receive your prescription, if eligible, making it convenient and hassle-free.

Question 2

What are the benefits and disadvantages of taking the pill?

Accepted Answer

The pill offers many benefits, such as high effectiveness, suitability for most women, quick return of fertility after stopping, and the ability to regulate menstrual cycles. It can also help reduce period pain, improve acne, ease symptoms of endometriosis, PMS, and menopause, and may lower the risk of endometrial and ovarian cancers.¹

On the flip side, it requires daily use and can come with side effects like breast tenderness, nausea, bloating, headaches, weight gain, reduced sex drive, skin changes, mood swings, and in rare cases, an increased risk of blood clots or stroke.²

To find out if the contraception pill is suited for you, speak to a doctor today.

¹ https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/birth-control/birth-control-pill//what-are-the-benefits-of-the-birth-control-pill

² https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/the-pill-combined-oral-contraceptive-pill

Question 3

How does the pill work?

Accepted Answer

The pill mainly prevents pregnancy by stopping the ovaries from releasing eggs. It also thickens the cervical mucus, making it harder for sperm to reach the egg, and changes the uterine lining to reduce the likelihood of implantation. Some pills start working immediately, while others may take up to a week of regular use to become fully effective.¹

¹ https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/the-pill-combined-oral-contraceptive-pill

Question 4

What can I book a telehealth appointment for?

Accepted Answer

Telehealth allows a doctor or nurse practitioner to provide care to you without an in-person consultation. Services they can provide through telehealth include, but are not limited to:

Medical advice relating to common ailments (including but not limited to allergies, asthma, bladder infections, bronchitis, cellulitis, cold & flu, diarrhea, infections, respiratory infections, sinusitis, sore throat, UTIs and vomiting)
Medical advice relating to general health concerns
New or repeat prescriptions sent via SMS
Referrals to specialists like paediatricians or cardiologists
Referrals for tests such as blood work or X-rays
Routine chronic disease check ups

If needed, a doctor can provide you with an online medical certificate for work or school (up to 7 days) at their discretion.

All of these services are available from the comfort of your home!

Question 5

What do I need to enable a video consult?

Accepted Answer

For a video consult any smartphone or computer with a camera, speaker, and microphone will work. Your telehealth video consult will open in a web browser so there’s no need to download any additional software.

Question 6

What if I miss the video call?

Accepted Answer

For an on-demand appointment, you should join the video link as soon as you receive it. If you haven't joined by the time the practitioner is ready, they will try to call you. Don't worry if you miss the call. The support team will contact you to fix any issues and reconnect you with the practitioner. If you have any questions about your appointment, you can always reach out to the support team for help.

Question 7

What happens after my online appointment?

Accepted Answer

If needed, the practitioner may send you a digital prescription, provide an online medical certificate, or refer you to a specialist. They might also recommend tests if further investigation is necessary.

Question 8

Can I make a Medicare claim after this appointment?

Accepted Answer

There may be specific instances in which you can claim a Medicare or other rebate for telehealth services, but these are defined by Government, and change from time to time. Your eligibility for this will be determined at the time of your appointment and is at the practitioners discretion. For telehealth only providers, Medicare rebates are generally not available. For local practitioners offering telehealth services, Medicare rebates are generally limited to where you have an existing relationship as defined by:

where you are registered in MyMedicare and the service is provided by your registered practice
when you have previously had a face-to-face appointment with the GP performing the service or another GP at the same practice in the last 12 months
where a practice is a participant in the Approved Medical Deputising Service program, and the Approved Medical Deputising Service provider employing the medical practitioner has a formal agreement with a general practice that has provided at least one face-to-face service to the patient in the 12 months preceding the telehealth attendance.

Under legislation, the existing relationship requirement does not apply in some limited situations which can be found on the Medicare Benefits Schedule website.

Question 9

What's the cancellation policy for telehealth appointments?

Accepted Answer

Telehealth consultations require a lot of coordination, so please try to keep your appointment.

If you need to cancel, please let the provider know immediately because rescheduling telehealth consultations can be more complicated than rescheduling a face-to-face appointment.

Contraception Medications

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