Frequently Asked Questions
Wellness virtual care is an online telehealth platform designed to facilitate convenient access to healthcare, Australia wide. Wellness Virtual Care Practitioners are AHPRA registered and follow guidelines for the safe provision of telehealth services. Wellness Virtual Care allows you to have consultations with online nurse practitioners through phone or video calls, all from the convenience of your own home. It’s a great option for non-urgent healthcare needs, including obtaining prescriptions, sick certificates, and online referrals for blood tests and medical imaging.
We offer a range of services including telehealth consultations which are 100% bulk-billed for Medicare card holders. We also run a range of in-person clinics at local pharmacies across Australia. If you’re picking up a prescription, make sure to ask about our on-site medical services.
If there are any concerns, we are here to help. Get in touch with us to make a report. Speak directly with our customer service team through our live chat feature. Just click the button to get started. Our support team is available 9am-5pm, Australian Eastern Time, Monday to Friday. Or email us at hello@wellnessvc.com.au.
Our support team is available 9am-5pm, Australian Eastern Time, Monday to Friday. Contact us directly through our live chat feature. We’re here to help.
No, you do not need a Medicare card to use Wellness Virtual Care telehealth service. However, you must have an Individual Health Identifier (IHI) to consult with a telehealth nurse practitioner and for us to issue eScripts. If you have a Medicare or DVA card, your IHI number is automatically acquired. Alternatively, we may retrieve your IHI from the details provided during sign-up in certain instances. Please note that if you do not hold an IHI number, we won’t be able to issue eScripts. Under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) Appointment bulk billing is only available for individuals holding a valid Medicare card. Obtaining an IHI online is the most efficient method, accessible through your myGov account. If you don’t have an account, it’s simple to create one. You will need one of the following identification documents:
• Your passport, along with a valid Australian visa
• Your Australian driver’s license
To obtain an IHI online, follow these steps:
1. Sign in to myGov
2. Select services or link your first service
3. Choose the IHI service from the list
4. Follow the prompts to acquire your IHI and link the service.
Our nurse practitioners can deliver Wellness Virtual Care through telephone calls. However, it’s important to note that a video call offers a more optimal and quality consultation. Therefore, we strongly recommend having a video capability available.
Wellness Virtual Care will claim Medicare rebates for individuals with a valid Medicare card. Meaning consultations are free with no out-of-pocket expense for the patient. For those without a Medicare card, telehealth services start at a reduced price of $35.00 for a single appointment booking. Prescription renewals and sick certificates start at $20.
- Sedatives (like Diazepam, Alprazolam, Temazepam)
- Strong pain medications (like Morphine, Oxycodone, Tramadol)
- ADHD medications (like Methylphenidate, Dexamphetamine)
- Other controlled substances
An AHPRA registered nurse practitioner will approve your sick certificate within an average of 15 minutes to an hour from 9 am to 5 pm AEST. This request includes a telehealth consult with one of our nurse practitioners. Our fee remains the same, whether you need multiple days off or just one. Medicare cardholders are bulk billed, while non-Medicare holders are charged a reduced fee of $20.00. You will then receive a sick certificate straight to your inbox. You won’t be charged until your request is approved. Available for both patients and caregivers from anywhere in Australia. Kindly note, we cannot backdate certificates.
Simply click on ‘book an appointment’ via the home page and follow the steps which will ask you for more information such as: details, appointment type and time and which health practitioner you would like to book with.
E-scripts are an electronic prescription that function similarly to traditional paper prescriptions but are sent electronically to your mobile number as a text message. If they prefer to have the script sent directly to your pharmacy of choice, please advise the Nurse Practitioner during the consult and this can be arranged.
You will need an electronic prescription to order prescription medications with Wellness Virtual Care. E-scripts streamline the prescription process, offering convenience and facilitating efficient communication between healthcare providers and pharmacies. Nurse Practitioners generate e-scripts using their standard prescribing software within the medical clinic. The script is presented as a QR code.
E-scripts are available both to Medicare card holders and to non-Medicare individuals who have an Individual Healthcare Identifier (IHI) number. The IHI allows visitors, temporary residents, and international students in Australia to access eScripts, delivered via SMS or email, just like Medicare card holders. If you do not have either a Medicare card or an IHI, only then will you require a paper prescription.
If you’ve received a reminder for your next Prolia injection, renewing your prescription is quick and easy. Simply book a telehealth appointment with one of our experienced nurse practitioners through our website:
- Click the “Book an Appointment” button on our homepage.
- Choose your preferred appointment time, practitioner, and an appointment type “Script renewal – single medication”.
- Enter your details, including your Medicare card information.
- Confirm your booking.
You’ll receive an email confirmation along with a short form to complete. Once submitted, your appointment will be confirmed.
Influenza (or ‘the flu’) is caused by three types of influenza virus – A, B and C that infect the respiratory system. Influenza is contagious and is spread by coughing, sneezing and direct contact with an infected person or by touching a contaminated surface. You may be infectious for approximately a day before symptoms appear.
Symptoms of flu include: fever, muscle aches, headache, lethargy, dry cough, sore throat, and a runny nose. The fever and body aches may last for 3-5 days, whilst the cough and lethargy may last for two or more weeks.
Influenza can cause serious complications that may require hospitalisation or may even be fatal.
Influenza (or ‘the flu’) is a respiratory illness that occurs following an infection with influenza viruses. Sometimes the term ‘the flu’ is used incorrectly to describe the common cold or other respiratory viruses. This is because their symptoms can be similar to those caused by influenza. There are many different viruses and some bacteria that can cause these symptoms.
The influenza vaccine will only protect you from the influenza virus. Usually, influenza is more severe and lasts longer than a cold or other viral respiratory illness.
Annual vaccination against seasonal influenza can reduce your chances of catching the virus and can also reduce the severity of symptoms if you do get sick.
The seasonal influenza vaccination is recommended every year for most people aged six months or older.
Persons with known egg and chicken allergies are unfortunately not able to participate in this service, but are encouraged to seek advice from their healthcare practitioner. Persons who have experienced an anaphylactic reaction to antibiotics neomycin, gentamicin, polymixin or thiomersal are also not eligible to participate in this service.
The best time to be vaccinated against influenza is in autumn, before the flu season starts. The vaccination can take up to two weeks to develop protection and provides immunity against influenza for around three to four months depending on the individual’s immune system.
It is recommended that you receive the influenza vaccination every year as the different strains of virus can change from year to year. This ensures you are protected against the most recent virus strains.
Like any medication, some people may experience an unexpected reaction to the influenza vaccine. Common side effects following vaccination for influenza may include:
- pain, redness and swelling or a lump at the injection site
- low grade temperature
- headache or muscle aches
- drowsiness or tiredness
- generally feeling unwell.
Most side effects are minor and last only a short time. Generally, mild reactions begin within six to 12 hours.
As with any medication, very rarely will you have a severe allergic reaction, which will usually occur within 15 minutes of receiving a vaccine. Because of this, it is important for you to wait for 15 minutes after receiving your vaccination before leaving.
Your immuniser will advise you of the potential side effects of having the flu vaccine and what you should do if you have a reaction.
The formulation of influenza vaccines for use in Australia is determined each year by the Australian Influenza Vaccine Committee (AIVC) based on information and recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO). The details of which strains of influenza antibodies are contained in this year’s vaccine can be found at www.influenzaspecialistgroup.org.au.
The vaccine administered will be an inactivated quadrivalent influenza vaccine approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) according to the age of the patient.
The vaccination service is relatively quick, taking less than 5 minutes which allows for the nurse to confirm consent has been provided, that the person being vaccinated is well and has no contraindications to vaccination, and to administer the vaccine.
Following the vaccination, the person vaccinated is required to remain in the observation area for a further 15 minutes.
All our clinics are run through pharmacies located across Australia. Check in with your local pharmacy to see if they have an in-person clinic scheduled and if not point them our way!
Sedatives (like Diazepam, Alprazolam, Temazepam)
Strong pain medications (like Morphine, Oxycodone, Tramadol)
ADHD medications (like Methylphenidate, Dexamphetamine)
Other controlled substances
