Question 1

Do I qualify for weight loss treatments?

Accepted Answer

Suitability for weight loss treatments is assessed by the consulting doctor during your appointment. Your doctor will consider your BMI, current medications, overall health and medical history to determine whether any treatment options are appropriate for you. This service is intended for people aged 18 years and older.

Question 2

What is BMI?

Accepted Answer

BMI stands for Body Mass Index and is a measure that uses your height and weight to estimate whether your weight is in a healthy range.

BMI is calculated using your weight and height (your weight divided by your height squared). Healthcare professionals may use BMI alongside other factors, such as blood pressure, cholesterol and medical history, to assess general health and potential risk of conditions like heart disease.

BMI has several limitations though and does not directly measure body fat. It may not be accurate in some people, including those who are pregnant, very muscular (such as athletes), or older adults.¹

¹ https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/bmi-calculator

Question 3

How will I receive my prescription?

Accepted Answer

If the doctor determines that a prescription is clinically appropriate following your consultation, it will be sent to you as an eScript. eScripts are securely delivered to your mobile phone as a unique QR code (known as a 'token'). You can present this at your preferred pharmacy in person, or email it to the pharmacy in advance to have your prescription fulfilled.

Question 4

What are the benefits of weight loss?

Accepted Answer

Excess weight, especially obesity, is associated with an increased risk of a range of health conditions, including cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnoea, psychological issues, some musculoskeletal conditions and some cancers. As the level of excess weight increases, so does the risk of developing these conditions. The risk of developing these conditions generally increases with higher levels of excess weight.¹

A 2025 study from CSIRO found the benefits of weight loss extend beyond the scales with nearly 90 per cent of survey respondents who lost over 15kg reporting improved health, wellbeing and energy levels.

Eighty-seven per cent of members living with obesity also reported living with at least one chronic health condition. Management of their condition was found to improve with weight loss.

64% of members with type 2 diabetes reported an improvement in their condition, with 12% reporting they no longer had it
40% of members experienced improvements in their mental health, blood pressure and cholesterol
32% of members managing a chronic condition reported a reduced reliance on medication and associated costs
30% of members reported improvements in chronic pain, osteoporosis, sleep apnoea, and arthritis ²

¹ https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/risk-factors/risk-factors-to-health/contents/overweight-and-obesity

² https://www.csiro.au/en/news/All/News/2025/September/Total-Wellbeing-Diet

Question 5

Why do I need follow up appointments?

Accepted Answer

Following your initial consultation, the doctor may recommend follow up appointments to review your progress and discuss any test results, if relevant. The frequency of follow up appointments will depend on your individual circumstances. However, they are typically every 4 weeks. During these appointments, the doctor may assess your response to treatment and make any adjustments they consider clinically appropriate.

Question 6

Will I receive a refund if the doctor doesn't prescribe me weight loss medication?

Accepted Answer

Consultation fees cover the time spent with the doctor, including assessing your health and discussing appropriate management options.

Any treatment recommendations, including whether a prescription is provided, are at the doctor's discretion and based on your individual circumstances. As a result, refunds are not offered if a prescription is not provided.

Question 7

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 8

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 9

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 10

What happens after my online appointment?

Accepted Answer

If eligible, the doctor 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 11

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 doctor's discretion. For telehealth only providers, Medicare rebates are generally not available. For local GPs 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 12

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.

Online Weight Loss Consults

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