AMA submission to the post‑implementation review of temporary MBS psychiatry inpatient telehealth items

The AMA supports making all of the psychiatry inpatient telehealth items 92478–92483 permanent, with targeted improvements to maximise clinical effectiveness, safeguard psychiatrist‑led care, and build a practical evaluation framework. We recommend removing arbitrary frequency caps, enabling a clinically‑governed telephone fallback when video is temporarily impractical, and embedding simple quality guardrails (e.g., documented mental state/risk reviews, and team handover). These changes will strengthen access, safety, and continuity without diluting clinical standards.