MyMedicare Updates Patient Registration Exemption Process
14 Jul 2026
General practices can now use updated MyMedicare registration exemptions to help patients who cannot meet the standard eligibility requirements because of exceptional circumstances.
Patients usually need to meet MyMedicare eligibility rules, including having recent face-to-face visits with their usual practice. However, practices can now apply an exemption if a patient has been unable to access care due to health, geographic or other unforeseen circumstances.
Before registering a patient, practices should:
- Check if the patient meets the standard eligibility requirements.
- Consider whether an exemption applies if the requirements are not met.
- Select the correct exemption category on the MyMedicare Registration Form and record it in Health Professional Online Services (HPOS).
The updated registration form now includes a dedicated option for patients affected by extenuating or unforeseen circumstances. Other exemption categories, such as homelessness, family and domestic violence, or following a usual GP, remain available.
These changes are intended to make the registration process clearer and help eligible patients access MyMedicare more easily.
A fact sheet and updated MyMedicare resources are available from the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.
MyMedicare Updates Patient Registration Exemption Process
Source: Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (Practice Pulse, 15 July 2026)