Since the 1st of October, we have been asking our patients to register for MyMedicare. MyMedicare is a program run through Services Australia that formalises the relationship between patient and their general practitioner, resulting in access to more Medicare benefits. It is a free and voluntary scheme launched by the federal government as part of a broader commitment to strengthening Medicare and creating greater continuity of care.
To be eligible, patients must have a Medicare card or a Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) Verterans card and have had two or more face-to-face appointments at their regular practice in the past two years (or one face-to-face visit for practices in remote locations). People who are facing hardship will be exempt from all eligibility requirements. This includes people experiencing domestic and family violence and homelessness. Parents or guardians and children can be registered at the same practice if one of them is eligible and registered. A parent or guardian must register a child under 14 years old and provide consent on their behalf. Individuals aged 14 to 17 years can register and provide consent without a parent or guardian.
The main benefit of signing up at this time is access to Medicare rebates for longer telehealth consultations. Last year the government eliminated rebates for telehealth appointments that were longer than 20 minutes and longer than 40 minutes. Registering through MyMedicare means that you will have access to these rebates again.
To summarise, MyMedicare patients will have access to:
- greater continuity of care with your registered practice, improving health outcomes
- longer Medicare Benefit Scheme (MBS) funded telehealth consultations with your GP
- more regular visits from your GP and better care planning for people living in a residential aged care home, from August 2024
- connections to more appropriate care in general practice for people who visit the hospital frequently, from mid-2024.
Patients can sign up via their myGov Medicare online account, via the Medicare App or in person by completing and submitting this form at one of our clinics.
Clare Gomes
Clinic Manager
