From 1 July, we'll need your confirmation.
This is a new federal requirement and does not affect your treatment, Medicare benefits or your doctor's billing policy.
What This Means for You
Your care stays the same
You will continue to receive the same exceptional, high-quality healthcare and service you expect from your local Myhealth centre. Your trusted doctor and your appointments will not change.
Your benefits do not change
Your eligibility for bulk billing and your overall Medicare benefits remain exactly the same. There are no out-of-pocket costs being introduced because of this update.
A seamless transition
We are designing this process to be as quick and easy as possible for everyone. Speak with your local Myhealth centre's reception team closer to the date to see how it will work.
Why are the rules changing?
The Australian Government is modernising Medicare by moving from old paper forms to secure digital records. This update gives patients full visibility over what is being billed to Medicare under their name, while ensuring the integrity of the health system.
Will I need to provide my approval every appointment?
Yes. Under the new federal regulations, a separate approval is required for every single bulk-billed service or visit. This ensures every claim is accurate and officially approved by you.
Can I sign for my children or elderly parents?
Yes, absolutely. If you are a parent, legal guardian, or designated carer, you can easily provide the digital or physical approval on behalf of the patient.
Will I still be able to use telehealth?
Yes. Telehealth appointments remain fully available. The only change is that we can no longer accept verbal approvals over the phone. Instead, our team will send a secure link via SMS or email for you to tap and approve around the time of your call.
Who keeps a record of my consent?
Our centres securely and privately stores your digital or written approval for a minimum of two years, as required by law. You are welcome to request a copy of this agreement from our reception team at any time.
What if I don't have a smartphone or don't want to use a digital link?
Don't worry. If you don't have a mobile phone with you, or simply prefer not to use the digital system, our friendly reception team can easily print out a quick physical form for you to sign instead.
Does this mean Myhealth will have access to my Medicare account?
No. This process does not give our centres or our systems access to your personal Medicare card details, MyGov account, or private medical history. It is simply a secure, single-use digital signature for your appointment.
What do I need to do today?
Because the upcoming system relies on sending secure links, the best thing you can do today is double-check with our reception desk that we have your most up-to-date mobile number and email address on file.
Interested in learning more?
If you would like to read the official guidelines regarding the Medicare Assignment of Benefit modernization, you can visit the Australian Government’s dedicated resources page here: Improving the Assignment of Benefit Process.
We value your feedback
Our teams are completely dedicated to making this transition as smooth as possible for you. If you have any immediate questions about these upcoming changes, or if you would like to share your feedback on how we can make our booking and billing processes better, we would love to hear from you.
Please feel free to reach out to our dedicated team at feedback@myhealth.net.au or speak directly with your local Myhealth centres practice manager.