How to enrol with a GP to get new Medicare benefits

Australians are being promised Medicare benefits if they enrol with a single GP. But the scheme has got off to a clunky start.

A major revolution in Medicare starts this month.

Patients who enrol with a single GP practice will get access to new benefits under a major revolution in Medicare that starts this month.

However, the commencement of the program is causing confusion among GPs and patients, as the online government portal enabling the registration system proves clunky.

Many GP practices are not yet on the system so their patients can’t enrol.

The new system, called MyMedicare, encourages people to register with a single GP practice that will co-ordinate all their health needs and provide tailored quality care specific to their conditions.

In return for enrolling, patients will be able to get Medicare rebates for telehealth consults with their doctor that last longer than 20 minutes.

This will be a major advantage for patients with mental health problems, those that live in the bush and those with complex needs. Previously there have been restrictions around claiming on longer consultations.

From next year, general practices will be able to access $100 million worth of new funding to provider tailored care for enrolled patients who live in aged care or who go to hospital frequently but the nature of these payments is yet to be detailed.

Will you take up the scheme, why or why not? Tell us in the comments field below.

Patients who enrol with a single GP practice will get access new Medicare benefits for telehealth.

When patients register with a single GP practice it will be the clinic that receives discharge letters from the hospital, X-ray reports, pathology test results and cancer screening information.

The enrolment system is entirely voluntary and no patient or doctor has to take part.

Patients who do enrol with a single GP will still be able to use other GP services or telehealth providers.

“MyMedicare is the foundation to deliver more tailored care to patients through a range of funding packages to better serve the needs of patients that fall through the cracks of the current system,” Health Minister Mark Butler said.

Health Minister Mark Butler. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Emma Brasier

The system is supported by both the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) and the Australian Medical Association (AMA) who say it will improve the way health care is delivered.

“What this says is, this is the practice that looks after my chronic disease or my complex stuff, and this is where information and communication goes,” RACGP president Dr Nicole Higgins said.

As at September 21, only 2533 of Australia’s 6500 practices had registered to take part in the new system.

Dr Higgins said there was confusion because there had been a lack of communication with doctors about an online government identity verification and authentication system central to the enrolment process.

RACGP president Dr Nicole Higgins. Picture: Supplied

Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care, Senator Anne Ruston, said “at a time when our GPs are overrun due to workforce shortages and the significant pressure on our healthcare system, the last thing the government should be doing is adding to the burden”.

AMA GP spokesperson Dr Danielle McMullen said “the goal is not to have every Australian registered next week, we want a slow and steady uptake”.

“If you are interested in enrolling, see if your usual GP is listed. If they are not, talk to them or check back in later,” she said.

Patients can register with their preferred GP through their Medicare Online Account or Express Plus Medicare app or fill out a registration form at their practice.

Originally published as How to enrol with a GP to get new Medicare benefits