General practices have been able to start the MyMedicare registration process since July 2023by registering their practice in the Services Australia Organisation Register. From 1 October 2023 a new MyMedicare tile will appear on the Organisation Register.
Practices will need to add the MyMedicare program to their Organisation Site Record(practice) as this will not happen automatically. Practices should also ensure their participating providers are linked to their practice so patients can select their preferred GP. Once completed the MyMedicare program tile will appear under 'My programs' on the organisation's HPOS home screen, to be able to register and manage patients.
Practices that provide services to patients who would benefit from the new MyMedicare-linked MBS longer telehealth services or provide care to people in residential aged care are encouraged to register as a priority and be ready to register their patients from 1 October 2023.
The department is working with Services Australia and the software industry to integrate theMyMedicare registration process with practice software as quickly as possible.
Patient Registration: Patients will need to meet a set of eligibility criteria to be able to register in MyMedicare to demonstrate they have an existing relationship with their practice and GP. Registration will be available to Medicare card and Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) Veteran Card holders.
Most patients will need to have 2 face-to-face visits recorded at the same practice in the previous 24 months to be eligible to register. These visits may have been funded by either Medicare or DVA, or a combination of both. A reduced registration requirement of one face-to-face visit recorded at the same practice in the previous 24 months is available to patients registering with a practice in remote areas, specifically Modified Monash Model (MMM) 6 and 7 locations.
Parents/guardians and children can be registered at the same practice if one of them is eligible.
Exemptions from all eligibility requirements will apply to people who are facing hardship including people experiencing domestic and family violence and/or homelessness. People in these situations can talk to a trusted practice or GP about direct registration through their practice.
More information on completing patient registration is available here.
The Department has also published detailed information on patient eligibility including a set of patient registration frequently asked questions.