MyMedicare is a free and voluntary patient registration scheme that has been introduced by the Australian Government as part of a commitment to strengthening Medicare. Patients who register can access some additional Medicare rebates and services, at the same time providing GPs with additional funding from the government to help them provide the care needed.
Who is eligible
MyMedicare is open to all Australians with a Medicare card or a Department of Veterans’ Affairs card, who have had two or more face-to-face appointments at their regular practice in the past two years (or one visit in remote locations).
A parent/guardian must register a child under 14 years and provide consent on their behalf in person at the nominated practice.
People who are facing hardship, including people experiencing domestic and family violence and homelessness, are exempt from all eligibility requirements.
How to register
There are multiple ways to register:
- If your practice is registered, go to your Medicare Online Account or Express Plus Medicare Mobile app. Practice staff will then accept your registration in the MyMedicare system.
- Your practice may start the registration in MyMedicare or you can ask them to do this. This will trigger a registration in your Medicare account or app, which you can then complete.
- Fill out a registration form at your practice. Practice staff will then complete the registration in the MyMedicare system.
Benefits
While formalising and strengthening the relationship between a patient and GP, registering also enables:
- children under 16, pensioners and concession card holders to have longer telehealth consultations with their GP
- people who visit hospital frequently will be connected to more appropriate care in general practice from mid-2024
- people living in a residential aged care home can receive more regular visits from their GP and better care planning from August 2024.