From next week, general practices can begin the MyMedicare registration process.
MyMedicare is a new voluntary patient registration model. It aims to formalise and strengthen the relationship between patients, their general practice, GP and primary care teams.
Registration in MyMedicare is voluntary for patients, practices and providers.
MyMedicare practices will have access to:
- more information about regular patients, making it easier to tailor services to fit the patient’s needs.
- longer telehealth items (Levels C, D and E) linked to MyMedicare for children under 16, pensioners, and concession card holders.
- the General Practice in Aged Care Incentive from 1 August 2024, which will support regular health assessments, care plans and regular GP visits for people in residential aged care homes.
- new blended funding payments to support better care in the community for people with complex, chronic disease who frequently attend hospitals. These arrangements will roll out progressively across the country over three years from FY2024–25.
- Chronic Disease Management items linked to a patient’s registration in MyMedicare from November 2024, to support continuity of care for people with chronic and complex conditions. Patients who are not registered in MyMedicare will still be able to receive Chronic Disease Management items from their usual GP.
Practices that provide services to patients who would benefit from the new MyMedicare-linked MBS long telehealth services or provide care to people in residential aged care are encouraged to register in MyMedicare as a priority over the next three months.
Practice eligibility
From 1 July 2023, general practices can start getting ready for MyMedicare. To be eligible for MyMedicare, general practices must:
- provide Medicare-funded services
- be registered in the following Services Australia systems:
- Provider Digital Access (PRODA)
- Health Professional Online Services (HPOS)
- the Organisation Register
- have at least one eligible provider linked to the practice in the Organisation Register. Eligible providers can be a vocationally registered GP, non-vocationally registered GP or a GP registrar
- be accredited against the National General Practice Accreditation Scheme – non-accredited practices will have 12 months to register with an accreditation agency and gain accreditation.
Accreditation exemption
An accreditation exemption is available until 30 June 2025. This is available to non-accredited practices (including sole providers) who deliver general practice services through mobile and outreach models:
- in rural settings
- in residential aged care
- in disability residential settings
- to First Nations Australians
- to people experiencing homelessness.
GP and nurse eligibility
To be eligible for MyMedicare, providers must:
- work at a MyMedicare eligible practice
- be linked to the practice on the Organisation Register
- have a valid provider number and be eligible to deliver Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) or Department of Veterans’ Affairs equivalent services.
The provider must be a GP or nurse practitioner. Eligible GPs include:
- vocationally registered GPs
- non-vocationally registered GPs
- GP registrars.
How practices may register for MyMedicare
General practices can begin the MyMedicare registration process from 1 July 2023.
To register, you must:
- make sure you are eligible
- link an organisation in PRODA to Health Professional Online Services (HPOS).
- access the Organisation Register in HPOS to:
- register your practice
- link your eligible providers.
If your practice is already registered and all participating providers are linked in the Organisation Register, you do not need to complete a second registration process. Once these steps are complete, you do not need to do anything else until patient registration becomes available in October 2023.
For more information on registering your practice, visit the Services Australia Health Professional Education website or speak to your Practice Support Officer.
Patients can register for MyMedicare from 1 October 2023.
Further reading
Services Australia Organisation Register
Services Australia Health Professional Education website
Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (for general practice)
MyMedicare practice Registration FAQ
RACGP and PHN joint MyMedicare webinar from Monday, 28 August