How do I book a bulk-billed appointment on Abby?

How to book a bulk-billed telehealth appointment in Australia with Abby

To book a bulk-billed telehealth appointment in Australia with Abby, open the Abby app or visit abbyhealth.app, add your Medicare card, choose what you need help with, and pick either a Scheduled appointment with a specific clinician or join the First Available queue. Eligibility is checked at booking. Most appointments are bulk-billed when you have a valid Medicare card and meet the rules in the Medicare Benefits Schedule.

What does bulk billing actually mean?

Bulk billing is when the clinician accepts the Medicare benefit as full payment for the consultation. There is no out-of-pocket cost for the patient, no payment at the time of booking, and no claim form to submit. The Medicare benefit goes directly to the clinic, on your behalf.

The eligibility rules — including who qualifies, what kinds of consults are bulk-billable, and the items each appointment is claimed against — are set in the Medicare Benefits Schedule. The eligibility framework itself is administered by Services Australia.

For the broader explainer, see is Abby bulk billed? and who is eligible for bulk billing.

What do I need before I book?

• An Abby account with your name and date of birth on file.
• A valid Medicare card. Add the 10-digit number, the individual reference number, and the expiry date.
• A working phone or laptop with camera and microphone, in a quiet place where you can talk privately.
• An idea of what you would like to discuss.

If your card has expired, work through what happens if your Medicare card is expired or invalid first.

How do I book, step by step?

1. Open the Abby Health app, or visit abbyhealth.app.
2. Sign in (or create an account if it is your first visit).
3. Tap Book an appointment.
4. Tell us what you would like help with — type it in your own words.
5. Choose Scheduled (a specific clinician, at a specific time) or First Available (the next clinician who is free).
6. Select a slot or join the queue.
7. Review the booking screen. Most consults will show as bulk billed if you meet the criteria.
8. Confirm.

You will get an SMS and email reminder before your appointment, with a secure link to join.

Scheduled vs First Available — which should I pick?

Both flows are bulk billed for eligible patients. They have different rhythms:

• Scheduled appointments are best when you want continuity, when the issue is sensitive or ongoing, or when you would like a specific clinician you have seen before. About 71% of Abby patients rebook with the same doctor — Scheduled is what makes that possible. Abby Health internal data, Q1 2026.
• First Available (FA) is the on-demand queue, capped at 15 patients. It is best for simple, transactional requests — a medical certificate, a script renewal, a quick question — and it usually moves fast.

Will I see a fee on the booking screen?

If your appointment qualifies for bulk billing, the screen will show $0 today and you will not be asked for a card. If your appointment does not qualify — for example, if your Medicare card is expired, or the appointment type does not have a bulk-billable item — the private fee will be displayed clearly before you confirm. There are no surprises after the consult.

Important note for nurse practitioner consultations: from 1 November 2025, the Medicare rules for some nurse practitioner items changed. If a nurse practitioner appointment is private rather than bulk billed, the fee will be shown before you book. The detail on this is in nurse practitioner billing and Medicare changes.

What happens during and after the consult?

The clinician calls you in via secure video or phone at the appointment time. You discuss the reason for the visit. They may ask follow-up questions, take a brief history, and decide on the right next step.

Afterwards:

• Any e-scripts arrive by SMS and email.
• Referrals and pathology requests are emailed and saved to your Abby record.
• Notes are kept securely so the next clinician you see can pick up from there.
• The Medicare claim is processed in the background — there is nothing for you to fill in.

If a face-to-face visit is the right next step, your clinician will tell you clearly. The Department of Health publishes the rules around the 12-month face-to-face requirement that applies to most ongoing telehealth consults; we explain this in the 12-month face-to-face rule explained.

Can I book on behalf of someone else?

Yes. You can add a dependant to your account — a child, a parent, or anyone you have authority to act for — and book on their behalf using their Medicare details.

How Abby can help

Booking is the first step. Once you are in, the rhythm settles. Our care network of 300+ AHPRA-registered clinicians works seven days a week, all year, and most patients can be seen the same day. Abby Health internal data, Q1 2026. Book your first appointment at abbyhealth.app/services/general-practice. Abby appointments are bulk billed for eligible patients with a valid Medicare card.