Online Consultations

Doctors appointments have never been so accessible or convenient

With new service and technology improvements in online health support, it’s now possible to see a doctor from the comfort and safety of your home – or wherever else you might be.

With the only requirements being an internet connection and a device (phone, tablet or computer), you can confidently get access to the care you need, when you need it, through our virtual appointment service, Bettr Online Doctors.

With Bettr, you’ll get access to:

• Experienced, registered doctors
• 8am - 8pm 7 days a week, 365 days a year
• Cheaper appointments for enrolled patients – free doctors consults for patients under 14, $25 for adults with a CSC, and $45 for adults without
• Fast online booking – book in minutes
• No clinic waiting times or queuing
• Peace of mind knowing your online consultations are private and secure
• You can even order prescriptions online, too – perfect for enrolled patients needing a repeat script

The Bettr service is available to both our enrolled and casual patients, book an appointment now or learn more below.

How virtual healthcare works

Seeing an online doctor is easy and gives you access to the same high-quality medical attention you would receive in one of our physical clinics.

Combined with your patient history, our doctors are trained to ensure they can fully understand and accurately support you, even without seeing or examining you physically in the majority of non-urgent cases.

So far, we’ve had thousands of patients successfully use our online consultations from the comfort of their couch. We see this as a great success, and our patients do too. Some have even been kind enough to put their experience into words – you can see what they had to say on the Bettr website under ‘Testimonials’.

How do I book an online doctor’s appointment?

With our online care system Bettr, we’ve made booking an online doctor’s appointment as easy as can be. You can book an appointment online in minutes from anywhere, 7 days a week.

Fast. Simple. Secure. Affordable. Get started with Bettr in 4 easy steps

1. Answer some quick screening questions
2. Select a doctor of your choice, date and time that best suits you
3. Enter your details, and;
4. Make one easy low payment.

Once completed, your online doctor’s consultation will be booked. We’ll send you confirmation of your booking and a link via email and/or text message (depending on what options you select when booking) to invite you to your online consultation. When the time comes, and with your camera-enabled device at hand, simply open the link, and your online appointment will commence.

Attending a consultation is easy

Before your virtual appointment, make sure you have access to a good internet connection and your device (a smartphone, tablet or laptop) at the ready with the camera enabled. Find somewhere quiet to sit where you won’t be interrupted.

When your consultation time arrives, just tap the link we provide in email or text  message, to enter the virtual waiting room.  The doctor will admit you into your session at the booked time.

Your doctor will use a combination of conversation, video observation, and patient history to provide you with an accurate diagnosis. If you are unable to do a video consultation, a phone consultation can still be arranged for many conditions.

Virtual appointments are up to 10 minutes in length.

After your consult

At the end of your consultation, the doctor will discuss and confirm what happens next, whether that might be a test, prescription to be filled, a follow-up appointment in person or online, a referral or provide other additional information or advice you need to follow.

If you are not enrolled with a clinic in the Tamaki Health network (i.e. Local Doctors or White Cross), you will be asked for the contact details of your usual GP clinic, and asked for permission to send the visit records to this contact. You may accept or decline this.

When to use virtual consultations

Virtual doctor consultations are a fast and safe way to make sure you can get the medical attention you need, right away, anywhere. They are perfect for appointments when it might be difficult for you to travel, or if you just prefer the privacy, comfort and safety of your home.

In most cases, an online doctor can even see you the same day you book, and appointments are very affordable – even more than you might think. New Zealand’s cheapest virtual doctor consultations, see our pricing below.

What health needs are virtual consults suitable for?

Virtual consultations are great for many non-urgent and non-critical medical concerns.

The concerns we can help with via online consultation include allergies, skin conditions and rashes, respiratory problems, coughs, cold and flu, mental health and wellness, oral health, infectious diseases, infections, smoking cessation, digestive and abdominal health, minor injuries, medical certificates, referrals, lab tests, travel medicine, prescriptions and more.

Online healthcare works best when we can clearly see you face-to-face via the screen as well as hearing your voice.

If your health concern is likely to need physical examination, then it may be best for you to see a doctor in person.

Note: If you have a health emergency or are in severe distress, please call 111 for immediate attention.

NZ's low cost online doctor consultations

Patients enrolled with our network (i.e. Local Doctors or White Cross clinics)

• FREE under 14yrs
• $25 for all patients over 14yrs with a community services card (CSC)
• $45 for patients over 14yrs without a CSC

Patients enrolled with other GPs

• Casual patients with CSC: Under 14y FREE, and $25 for all other CSC holders
• Casual patients without CSC: Under 14y $25, 14-17y $55, 18y + $79
• Visitors to NZ not eligible for funded healthcare: $250

*Additional $10 co-payment applied to all overnight appointments from 10pm-8am.

You can make payment securely by credit card, debit card or bank transfer.

Arranging prescriptions with virtual consultations

Scripts are available to enrolled and new patients, but please note that if you’re a new patient getting a new prescription for the first time the doctor may request you to see a GP in person depending on the medication. Standard medication charges apply.

Want to know more?

If you would like to know more about online doctor consultations check out Bettr’s website.

Enrol with us and save on every visit: online and in person

The Bettr online service is part of the Tamaki Health network. We are New Zealand’s largest independent healthcare network, with over 50+ urgent care and GP clinics nationwide, mosty Local Doctors or White Cross clinics. When you’re enrolled with a clinic in our network, you save on every consultation.

Enrol once, and we take care of the rest.

Want to see our doctors in person?

If you decide that an online doctors consultation is not right for you, you can book an appointment with a doctor in one of our physical clinics. Find a clinic

Some health concerns will need a physical appointment for appropriate treatment. Usually, we will be able to determine this in the screening questions during the booking process for your online appointment. If not, your virtual doctor will be able to help you book an appointment to be seen in person.

View the Bettr flyer: Bettr – New Zealand’s virtual doctors.