New Medicare bulk-billing rules raise concerns for vulnerable patients
27 May 2026
To help practices prepare, the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (DoHDA) has released new guidance explaining changes to the assignment of benefit process, which allows patients to assign their Medicare rebate to a healthcare provider when they are bulk billed.
Under the new rules, patients or their authorised representative will generally need to provide a physical or electronic signature before a bulk-billed Medicare claim can be submitted. Practices will also be required to keep completed assignment records for two years.
The changes mean verbal consent, which has been accepted in some situations such as telehealth consultations, will no longer be valid.
While the new guidance clarifies that a family member, carer, friend, partner or person with legal authority can sign on behalf of a patient, concerns remain about people who are unable to sign and do not have a representative available at the time of care.
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners says the new requirements could create barriers for patients in aged care, disability services, palliative care and other vulnerable groups.
RACGP President Dr Michael Wright said practices need a Medicare-compliant solution for patients who cannot physically sign documents and do not have an authorised representative present.
He warned there is a risk that some of the most disadvantaged patients could face reduced access to bulk-billed care if practical issues are not addressed before the changes begin.
The new framework will also allow assignment of benefits to occur either before or after a medical service is provided, provided the agreement is completed before a Medicare claim is lodged.
In addition, the current approved forms will be replaced by a mandatory information set that must be included in assignment agreements. Providers can use either paper or electronic formats, as long as all required information is recorded and agreed to.
Services Australia is expected to release optional templates to help practices meet the new requirements.
New Medicare bulk-billing rules raise concerns for vulnerable patients
Source: newsGP / Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (DoHDA)