New Medicare Bulk Billing Rules Begin from 1 July 2026

New Medicare Bulk Billing Rules Begin from 1 July 2026

07 Jul 2026

Under the updated arrangements, patients must agree to assign their Medicare benefit to the healthcare provider before a bulk-billed claim is submitted. This process allows the Medicare benefit to be paid directly to the provider, meaning the patient has no out-of-pocket cost for the service.

To help practices adjust, a 12-month transition period has been introduced. During this time, patients can continue to provide verbal consent while clinics update their billing processes, staff training and practice software.

Healthcare providers are encouraged to review their administrative and billing procedures to ensure patients receive clear information about bulk-billed services and provide their agreement before Medicare claims are lodged.

New Medicare Bulk Billing Rules Begin from 1 July 2026

Source: Services Australia