Medicare Changes

Dear Patients,

We would like to let you know about an important Medicare requirement that affects all bulk billed consultations. Under Medicare and the Health Insurance Act 1973 (Cth), the Australian Government subsidises the cost of health services through Medicare. When we bulk bill a consultation, we accept the Medicare rebate as full payment for the service, meaning you do not have any out-of-pocket costs.

From 1 July 2026, for a bulk billed service to be paid by Medicare, the law requires an ‘Assignment of Benefit’ to be completed. This is simply your approval for Medicare to pay the rebate directly to your doctor instead of to you (which is what happens when you are privately billed).

From now on, all patients receiving a bulk billed service must complete an Assignment of Benefit (for each appointment). This can be done either:

-      electronically through our Tyro terminal by answering "Yes" to the request; or

-      by signing a paper form at reception.

Medicare requires us to keep a copy of this approval on file for two years as proof that you have agreed to assign your Medicare benefit to your doctor.

For Telehealth consultations, Medicare has the same legal requirement. After your consultation, you will receive a secure message from HotDoc asking you to verify some personal details and complete the Assignment of Benefit electronically. This process only takes a few moments, but it is essential that you complete and sign the form.

If an Assignment of Benefit is not completed, Medicare will not pay the rebate to the doctor. In these circumstances, the consultation cannot be processed as bulk billed and the full consultation fee will need to be paid by the patient.

We understand this may feel like an extra step, however, it is a legal requirement and not a practice policy. Our doctors and staff are simply following Medicare rules to ensure that bulk billed services can continue to be provided.

Bulk billing remains an important way for us to support children, pensioners, concession card holders and patients experiencing financial hardship. To continue offering bulk billed services wherever possible, we need our patients’ co-operation in completing the required Medicare documentation at the time of their visit or promptly after a Telehealth consultation.

Thank you for your understanding and assistance. If you have any questions, our reception team will be happy to help.

Kind regards,

The Team at Midway Family Medical Centre