Fees, Medicare, telehealth and what to expect. If your question is about your own symptoms, please book a consult rather than emailing them.
Initial consults are by video.
Every consultation is with Brett Jones, a Nurse Practitioner. Nurse Practitioners are registered nurses with advanced clinical training and a master’s-level qualification, endorsed by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia to assess, diagnose, order tests, prescribe and refer within their scope of practice. You see Brett at every appointment.
Brett’s areas of focus are perimenopause and menopause, hormone health, metabolic health and weight, and men’s health. See Services for more.
Cortex Telehealth is for adults aged 18 and over, anywhere in Australia.
No. Cortex Telehealth is a private service. We don’t bill Medicare, so there is no Medicare rebate for our consults. Fees are paid in full at booking.
Your Medicare card details are needed so Brett can send pathology requests and electronic prescriptions, even though we don’t bill Medicare for the consult itself. If you don’t have Medicare, your Individual Healthcare Identifier (IHI) is used instead. How to get an IHI (Services Australia)
Yes. Initial consults are by video only, so Brett can see you and you can both focus on the conversation. Follow-ups can be by video or phone. Please join from somewhere quiet where you can concentrate, and never while driving.
No. You can book directly with Brett Jones, Nurse Practitioner. GPs and other health practitioners are welcome to refer, and Brett is glad to work alongside your GP and/or other health practitioner.
After your consult, a summary is prepared for your GP. It’s your choice whether it’s shared with them, and sharing it helps keep your care connected.
Depending on your situation, Brett may send you a pathology request to have blood tests done before your appointment, so the results are ready to discuss. Not everyone needs tests beforehand. Pathology collection centres may have their own fees, so check with them.
Not every consult ends with a prescription. Brett only recommends a medicine when it is clinically appropriate and safe. Sometimes the best next step is more information, further tests, or a referral to someone else. If a prescription is written, it is an electronic prescription you can take to any pharmacy in Australia.
Yes. You’re welcome to have a support person with you. You are always free to ask questions, take time to think things over, or seek a second opinion.
Cortex Telehealth is Brett’s practice, so the consult is with him. If you would prefer a female clinician, that is a fair preference. Let us know and Brett will help arrange a referral.
No. Brett can’t do a physical examination over video. If you need one, such as a blood pressure check, a pelvic or breast examination, or cervical screening, he may ask you to see your GP or a local service, or to get certain checks done before or after your consult.
Cortex Telehealth is not an emergency service. If you have chest pain, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding, signs of stroke, thoughts of harming yourself, or any other emergency, call 000 or go to your nearest emergency department.
For urgent mental health support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. For non-urgent health advice at any time, call healthdirect on 1800 022 222.
