There has been a last-minute reprieve to the changes due to come into effect as of July around assignment of benefit (aob) processes.
The RACGP confirmed Health Minister Mark Butler had stepped in to put in place measures to alleviate some of the concerns raised about the potential effects on access to care and administration burden.
Doctors have been able to have Medicare rebates that are technically paid to a patient sent on to them for providing their services through a verbal agreement, however new assignment of benefit processes were due to come into effect on July 1 that would have required patients to sign each time a benefit was to be claimed.
The changes were prompted by a report by the Australian National Audit Office released in 2023 that found there could be legal risks with the method of assigning Medicare benefits.
According to the RACGP Mr Butler has now intervened to ensure patients’ access to care was not unduly impacted.
While the Minister’s office is yet to provide official details, the RACGP said from July 1 verbal consent would remain an option in all settings for 12 months.
The RACGP said ‘enduring assignment of benefit’ would be an option for all MyMedicare registered patients, residents of aged care facilities and patients attending Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations from July 2026, brought forward from April 2027.
A statement from the College said there would be a 12-month transition period, during which there is a commitment to work with the profession on the changed approach and explore other options to further reduce the administrative burden on both GP practices and patients while ensuring the integrity of Medicare is maintained.
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RACGP President Dr Michael Wright said the amendments to the proposed changes reflected a recognition by government that a one-size-fits-all administrative approach does not work across all care settings
“These measures will provide immediate relief for GPs working in aged care and other sectors that would have been most impacted by the reforms, and help ensure continuity of care for patients,” he said.
However, he said further work was required.
“We recognise this solution will not address all concerns raised by our members,” Dr Wright said.
“We will continue advocating for practical alternatives beyond the 12-month transition period to maintain services for patients in care settings where it is not feasible to obtain a patient signature in a timely way, including home visits and patients with disability or acute illness.
RACGP Vice President and WA Chair Dr Ramya Raman previously spoke to Medical Forum about the initial proposed changes and said “Every additional administrative hurdle may seem small, but collectively they create friction in a system that is already under pressure.”
Minister Butler’s office has been contacted for comment.
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