MyMedicare Archives | South Western Sydney PHN

23 March 2026

MyMedicare is a voluntary patient registration system which aims to strengthen the bond between GPs, primary care teams and patients.

Practices can access:

more information about regular patients, making it easier to tailor services to fit patient needs

longer telehealth items linked to MyMedicare including MBS-funded phone calls and a triple bulk billing incentive for longer MBS telehealth consultations for children under 16, pensioners and concession card holders

Key messages for patient discussions:

reassure patients their care remains unchanged if they choose not to register

ensure patients provide informed consent before being registered for MyMedicare

let patients know the benefits of registering, for them and the practice

Patients need a Medicare or Veterans card. To register with a specific general practice, they must have made at least two face-to-face visits in the last 24 months.

Find out more

The MyMedicare Patient Privacy Notice has been updated to provide clearer information on how patient data is collected, used and shared across relevant government agencies. This update relates to how patient information is used, not practice information. MyMedicare privacy notice

14 January 2026

Providers registered for the Bulk Billing Practice Incentive Program (BBPIP) are reminded they must add bank account details on the Services Australia website to receive their first BBPIP incentive payment in January 2026.

Providers must add bank account details for the MyMedicare Incentives program at each BBPIP participating practice location where they work.

- Add provider bank account details on the Services Australia website
- For step-by-step instructions, visit Adding provider bank account details for BBPIP

For more information about BBPIP, visit www.health.gov.au/BBPIP

08 January 2026

The General Practice in Aged Care Incentive (GPACI), introduced by the Australian Government, is designed to foster stronger, more effective partnerships between general practices and residential aged care homes (RACHs). The goal of the General Practice in Aged Care Incentive is to ensure residents in aged care receive proactive, consistent, and high-quality healthcare that meets new standards for safety and clinical care.

At SWSPHN, we are committed to helping aged care homes understand and implement processes and an agreement in collaboration with their local general practices. This guide provides an overview of the GP practice incentive and how SWSPHN supports aged care homes through this transition, along with a range of resources and links to further information on government websites.

How SWSPHN supports aged care homes with GPACI

Our team at SWSPHN is here to assist aged care homes in establishing and strengthening partnerships with general practices. By working closely with aged care homes and GP practices, we aim to foster a collaborative approach to healthcare for aged care residents, ensuring they benefit from more structured and continuous care. Our support includes:

Guidance on MyMedicare registration

For residents to benefit from the incentive, they, their GPs, and the GP practice must be registered with MyMedicare. We provide guidance on the MyMedicare registration process, explaining how aged care homes can help residents in signing up and clarifying the benefits of linking residents directly with their GPs.

Learn more about MyMedicare

Resources for GP engagement

We support aged care homes by facilitating connections with local GPs and providing guidance on setting up regular, effective communication channels. This enables ongoing care planning and promotes a more proactive approach to resident healthcare.

Aged Care Incentive resources

Information for families and carers

SWSPHN recognises the importance of family involvement in the care process. We can provide educational resources for families and carers to help them understand the benefits of GPACI and MyMedicare, empowering them to support the care planning process.

Aged Care Residents Information Booklet

GPACI FAQ for Aged Care Residents and Carers

Aged Care Homes Residents PowerPoint presentation

GPACI implementation steps for aged care homes

Implementing GPACI requires cooperation between aged care homes and general practices. Here are the steps we recommend to get started:

Familiarise your team with GPACI goals

Ensure staff across all levels, including managers, nurses, care staff, and activity coordinators, understand the goals of GPACI and how it will impact daily operations.

Register residents with MyMedicare

Coordinate with families and carers to register residents with MyMedicare. This is a vital step to ensure residents benefit from the GPACI-supported care model.

How to Register for MyMedicare

Establish contact with local GP general practices

Identifying and connecting with local general practices who provide services to your residents is essential for implementing GPACI effectively. Establishing a formalised relationship with general practices can streamline communication, clarify roles, and support a proactive approach to resident care.

SWSPHN is available to help facilitate these connections and support the implementation of GPACI, ensuring the care provided aligns with best practices and quality standards.

Incorporate GPACI into care planning

Work with GP practice to establish care plans which meet Aged Care Quality Standards, focusing on safe, continuous, and personalised care for each resident.

Review and reflect

Regularly assess the effectiveness of GPACI implementation within your facility, adapting as needed to ensure high-quality outcomes for residents.

Additional resources and information

For a more comprehensive understanding of GPACI, MyMedicare, and the standards which apply to aged care homes, please refer to the following resources:

General Practice in Aged Care Incentive

MyMedicare Overview

Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety

Strengthening Medicare Taskforce Report

Aged Care Quality Standards

11 November 2025

Important changes to bulk billing incentives and the Better Access Initiative began on 1 November.

For all the changes to the Medicare Benefits Schedule refer to MBS Online November 2025 news.

Every general practice will now benefit from expanded eligibility for MBS bulk billing incentives to all Australians with a Medicare card. Previously these incentives were limited to children under 16 years of age and patients with a Commonwealth concession card.

Additionally, practices have the option to register and participate in the new Bulk Billing Practice Incentive Program (BBPIP). Practices must register for MyMedicare to participate in BBPIP, and there is an exemption for general practices which are not yet registered with MyMedicare.

New information on both bulk billing measures is now available on the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website and MBS Online, including frequently asked questions, and details on eligible MBS services. Information on MBS Online about bulk billing incentives can be found here: Note MN.1.1 | Medicare Benefits Schedule

There are also changes to the Better Access to Psychiatrists, Psychologists and General Practitioners Initiative through the Medicare Benefits Schedule, including:

A Medicare benefit will be payable for Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) preparation, referrals for treatment services and reviews of a MHTP when a patient has seen a GP or primary medical provider (PMP) at the general practice in which the patient is enrolled in MyMedicare or regardless of whether the patient is enrolled in MyMedicare, by the patient’s usual medical practitioner.
These requirements do not affect patients who have been referred via a Psychiatrist Assessment and Management Plan or by a direct referral from an eligible psychiatrist or eligible paediatrician.
GP and PMP MHTP review items (2712, 92114, 92126, 277, 92120, and 92132) and GP and PMP ongoing mental health consultation items (2713, 92115, 92127, 279, 92121 and 92133) will be removed from the MBS.
Further details can be viewed at MBS Online – Better Access changes from 1 November 2025.

Key points

Removal of the 12 review and mental health consultation items provides GPs and PMPs greater flexibility to use the most appropriate time-tiered professional (general) attendance item, reflecting the time spent with patients. This includes items for longer consultations and, where applicable, the triple bulk billing incentive to review MHTPs and deliver mental health care and support to patients.
Any MHTP referral dated prior to 1 November 2025 will remain valid until all treatment services specified in the referral (within the maximum session limit for the course of treatment) have been delivered to the patient.
The MyMedicare and usual medical practitioner requirements will also apply to GP/PMP telehealth items for MHTPs, with these services no longer exempt from the established clinical relationship rule.
Further information on the GP MBS telehealth (video and phone) established clinical relationship criteria and exemptions will be available from 1 November 2025 in explanatory note AN.1.1 on MBS Online.

New Fact Sheets from the Department of Health, Disabilities and Ageing:

Better Access Initiative FAQs have been updated here:

These changes to do not affect Focussed Psychological Strategies which can continue to be available to any patient from any eligible GP and eligible PMP who has the appropriate training recognised by the General Practice Mental Health Standards Collaboration.
Treatment services referred to under the Better Access Initiative are for patients who require at least a moderate level of mental health support.
Information on other free or low-cost Commonwealth funded mental health treatment services can be found at Medicare Mental Health.

This article appeared in Practice Pulse on Wednesday, 12 November 2025. If you are a GP, practice nurse or practice manager in South Western Sydney and do not get the weekly Practice Pulse email, speak to your Practice Support Officer.

28 October 2025

Changes will be made to the Better Access initiative for psychiatrists, psychologists and GPs through the Medicare Benefits Schedule, from 1 November.

Changes will include:

improving the Better Access initiative to meet the needs of individuals and improve equity of access to mental health supports and services
supporting the holistic relationship between a patient and their healthcare provider, leading to improved patient outcomes
reducing the administrative burden and complexity for GPs and Prescribed Medical Practitioners (PMP) by providing greater flexibility by using time-tiered professional (general) attendance MBS items to review a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP), refer a patient for mental health treatment and undertake general mental health consultations

From 1 November 2025:

A Medicare benefit will only be payable for MHTP preparation, referrals for treatment services and reviews of a MHTP when a patient has seen either a GP/PMP at the patient’s MyMedicare registered practice or their usual medical practitioner if not registered with MyMedicare. These requirements do not affect patients who have been referred via a Psychiatrist Assessment and Management Plan or by a direct referral from an eligible psychiatrist or eligible paediatrician.
GP and PMP MHTP review items (2712, 92114, 92126, 277, 92120, and 92132) and GP and PMP ongoing mental health consultation items (2713, 92115, 92127, 279, 92121 and 92133) will be removed from the MBS.

Key points:

Removal of the 12 review and mental health consultation items provides GPs and PMPs greater flexibility to use the most appropriate time-tiered professional (general) attendance item, reflecting the time spent with patients. This includes items for longer consultations and, where applicable, the triple bulk billing incentive to review MHTPs and deliver mental health care and support to patients.
Any MHTP referral dated prior to 1 November 2025 will remain valid until all treatment services specified in the referral (within the maximum session limit for the course of treatment) have been delivered to the patient.
The MyMedicare and usual medical practitioner requirements will also apply to GP/PMP telehealth items for MHTPs, with these services no longer exempt from the established clinical relationship rule. Further information on the GP MBS telehealth (video and phone) established clinical relationship criteria and exemptions will be available from 1 November 2025 in explanatory note AN.1.1 on MBS Online.
These changes to do not affect focussed psychological strategies which can continue to be available to any patient from any eligible GP and eligible PMP who has the appropriate training recognised by the General Practice Mental Health Standards Collaboration.
Treatment services referred to under the Better Access Initiative are for patients who require at least a moderate level of mental health support.
Information on other free or low-cost Commonwealth funded mental health treatment services can be found at Medicare Mental Health

More resources:

MyMedicare

MBS Online

This article appeared in Practice Pulse on Wednesday, 29 October 2025. If you are a GP, practice nurse or practice manager in South Western Sydney and do not get the weekly Practice Pulse email, speak to your Practice Support Officer.

18 August 2025

Bulk billing incentive payments changes from 1 November 2025 will expand the eligibility of bulk billing incentives to all Australians with a Medicare card.

Currently, GPs only receive Medicare bulk billing incentives if they bulk bill children under 16 years old and Commonwealth concession card holders.

Last week, Minister for Health, Disability and Ageing, Mark Butler, announced from 1 November 2025, practices and GPs registering for the Bulk Billing Practice Incentive Program (BBPIP) will equally share in the additional incentive payment of 12.5 per cent of MBS billings for eligible services.

The even BBPIP payment split recognises the roles played by both practices and providers in delivering bulk billed services to patients.

Practices which join the BBPIP must bulk bill every eligible service for every patient, to receive the incentive payment. The BBPIP payment will be in addition to MBS benefits paid (including bulk billing incentives).

Further details and instructions on how to register in BBPIP will be provided later this year, and registration for BBPIP will be available from 1 November 2025.

Accredited practices can prepare in advance, by registering for MyMedicare now. Instructions on how to register for MyMedicare are available on the Services Australia Health Professional Education Resources website.

A resource answering frequently asked questions about BBPIP is available for practices, providers, practice managers and health professionals, including eligibility, benefits and how the program operates.

For practice support, please contact your Practice Support Officer or Practice Advancement Officer.

29 July 2025

12-monthly servicing requirements and accreditation
check HPOS for affected patients and responsible providers

Practices are being reminded of the 12-monthly servicing requirements for receiving the General Practice in Aged Care Incentive (GPACI).

Some GPACI-registered practices and their GPs will not receive quarter 4 General Practice in Aged Care Incentive payments as they did not meet the 12-monthly servicing requirements.

If the responsible provider did not deliver their patient two care planning services by the end of the 12-month care period:

the practice and the responsible provider will not get the quarter 4 payment
the responsible provider must deliver at least one care planning service in quarter 1 of the following 12-month care period to remain eligible for future incentive payments

If the care planning service is not provided in quarter 1 (ie by 30 September 2025), the practice and provider will be ineligible for GPACI payments for that patient for the remainder of the patient’s new 12-month care period.

A letter will be sent through HPOS outlining the patients and responsible providers which are affected for your practice. Please review your list of patients in this letter and take action to ensure responsible providers deliver one care planning service per patient prior to 30 September.

Please also ensure any patients who are deceased are withdrawn from the GPACI at your earliest opportunity.

Please note if you are withdrawing patients from the incentive:

Do not remove a responsible provider. It is important previous relationships are maintained, even if the patient has a new responsible provider added, no longer wants to be involved in GPACI or MyMedicare, or is withdrawn from MyMedicare. Removing responsible providers will impact reassessment of past payments
Do not delete the patient or delete GPACI from a patient’s MyMedicare profile unless the incentive was added in error. If the patient is deceased, withdraw them from MyMedicare but do not delete the incentive

For more information on the GPACI 12-month servicing requirements please refer to page 9 to 10 of the program guidelines.

Review your Organisational Register Accreditation record

Many practices registered for MyMedicare and the GPACI are currently ineligible due to lapsed accreditation.

Practices must record and regularly update their accreditation status in the Organisation Register.

A new accreditation record must be added in the Organisation Register, each time your accreditation is renewed.

Please check your accreditation record and ensure your accreditation details are added correctly (refer to page 8 of the following Services Australia instructions ORGREGM06 – Amend your Organisation Site Record through HPOS).

At the end of an accreditation period, practices must be re-accredited.

If the practice participating in MyMedicare has not obtained accreditation or re-accreditation at the end of their accreditation period, the practice will be ineligible for MyMedicare and GPACI.

Any GPACI services performed after accreditation has lapsed will not be eligible for payment.

Please reach out to your Practice Advancement or Practice Support Officer if you need assistance in updating your accreditation record.

08 May 2025

MyMedicare accreditation exemption date extended to 31 December 2026

The accreditation exemption for non-traditional practices choosing to participate in MyMedicare has been extended from 30 June 2025 until 31 December 2026.

The accreditation exemption is available to non-accredited practices (including sole providers) who deliver general practice services through mobile and outreach models in rural settings, residential aged care and disability residential settings, as well as to First Nations Australians and people experiencing homelessness.

The extension is in recognition of the new definition of general practice for the purpose of accreditation, which may allow some non-accredited practices to now become accredited. It aims to support non-accredited practices in considering their accreditation options under the National General Practice Accreditation Scheme.

Practices currently using this MyMedicare exemption will not need to take any action to update the new end date.

Turn on your HPOS mailbox notifications

Health professionals receive a lot of correspondence via their individual and/or organisation Health Professional Online Services (HPOS) mailboxes. While some of these may be statements or everyday notifications, others are important and require action.

Make sure you turn on notifications to receive alerts for new messages and save you having to check for new mail.

Now the first MyMedicare incentive is in place make sure you action any notifications as required, such as failed payments.

Payments for January to March 2025 quarter and reassessments

Payments for the MyMedicare General Practice in Aged Care Incentive quarterly assessment for January to March 2025 have been processed and notifications have been sent via Health Professional Online Services (HPOS) mailboxes. The time taken to receive funds is dependent on individual financial institutions.

Remember to check your HPOS notifications for any requiring action, for example failed payments due to missing or incorrect bank account details

Reassessments: There has been a delay in reassessing previous quarterly payments and therefore a delay in adjustments, including additional payments which practices and providers may be expecting. When reassessments have been processed, you will be notified of any adjustments to previous payments via your HPOS mailbox

Tips on managing GPACI

For GPACI, the relationship between the three participants (practice, patient and responsible provider) is critical. The assessment process looks for this relationship, and anything which can potentially break or remove any of those relationships will impact GPACI payments for eligible services.

If there is a change in the relationship (for example, new responsible provider) it is important the previous relationship is maintained in the patient’s MyMedicare profile. Removing or deleting relationships will impact past payments.

The responsible provider may not be the same practitioner as the patient’s nominated preferred GP. For example, a registrar may be engaged to deliver Residential Aged Care Home services.

Here are some tips on managing GPACI correctly and some precautions on what not to do as using actions incorrectly can impact payments, including reassessment of past payments.

For the incentive period:

DO select set period and add a start date to add the Incentive to a patient’s MyMedicare profile
DO NOT add an end date to the Incentive period. When a patient is withdrawn from the MyMedicare program, the system will automatically end the incentive period
DO NOT amend the start date for the Incentive period, unless it was incorrect and you understand the impact to payments
DO NOT amend the Incentive period at the start of every new quarter
DO NOT delete the Incentive unless it was added to the patient’s MyMedicare profile in error

For the responsible provider:

DO add the responsible provider and add a start date
DO NOT add an end date for the responsible provider. If a new responsible provider is added, the system will automatically end the previous responsible provider
DO NOT amend the start date for the responsible provider, unless it was incorrect and you understand the impact to payments
DO NOT remove the responsible provider unless they were added in error

For the patient:

DO register the patient for the MyMedicare program as soon as possible and no later than 28 days after receiving the consent form (or they can register themselves online)
DO add GPACI to the patient’s MyMedicare profile (as above)
DO add a new responsible provider if required (only add a start date, do not add an end date). Adding a new responsible provider will automatically end the previous one
DO add an Incentive period end date if the Patient asks to no longer be part of GPACI
DO withdraw the patient if they ask to no longer be part of the MyMedicare program or are deceased. This will automatically end the incentive
DO NOT remove a responsible provider. It is important previous relationships are maintained, even if the patient has a new responsible provider added, no longer wants to be involved in GPACI or MyMedicare, or is withdrawn from MyMedicare. Removing responsible providers will impact reassessment of past payments.
DO NOT move a patient to a new organisation site unless you understand the impact to payments. Moving a patient resets their MyMedicare registration date and restarts them in Quarter 1 for GPACI.
DO NOT delete GPACI from a patient’s MyMedicare profile unless the Incentive was added in error. If the patient is deceased, withdraw them from MyMedicare but do not delete the incentive

For support on MyMedicare contact your Practice Advancement Officer or Practice Support Officer.

25 February 2025

The Australian Government has announced its intention to expand bulk billing eligibility to all Australians and introduce a Bulk Billing Practice Incentive Program for practices registered with MyMedicare, starting 1 November 2025.

The following information has been provided for general practice:

Information on bulk billing eligibility:

The new measure expands eligibility for bulk billing to all Australians with a Medicare card, expanding the existing program which is currently limited to children under 16 and Commonwealth Concession Card holders. This measure will be available for all practices to participate in from 1 November 2025. More information can be found via the following link – Strengthening Medicare with more bulk billing.

Information on the Bulk Billing Practice Incentive Program (PIP):

The new practice incentive program will introduce a 12.5 per cent loading payment on every $1 of MBS benefit earned from GP NRA (non-referred attendance) services, to be split between the GP and the practice. Details on the split are yet to be released.
To participate in the program, a GP practice will need to:
- Commit to bulk bill all GP NRA (non-referred attendance) services
- Advertise their participation in the program within the practice and on Healthdirect’s National Health Services Directory
- Be registered with MyMedicare (accreditation requirements will be waived for two years for practices joining the program)
Practices would need to register in the Organisation Register and further details on the registration process are yet to be published.
Payments will commence in 2026 and will be issued quarterly.
A fact sheet has been published on the Department of Health and Aged Care’s website and can be found via the following link – Strengthening Medicare with more bulk billing.

For support on MyMedicare, please contact your Practice Advancement or Practice Support Officer.

18 February 2025

MyMedicare Program Guidelines published on 6 January 2025 contain detailed information and guidance for practices, GPs and patients who wish to voluntarily register with the MyMedicare Program. The guidelines also set out the program’s requirements, benefits and dispute processes.

The MyMedicare Program Guidelines provide further information regarding:

The Services Australia Organisation Register; a streamlined practice registration tool connecting a general practice, GPs, patients, MBS claiming and incentives in the one central system. The guidelines describe how the Organisation Register supports MyMedicare and new, existing and future health programs.
Aboriginal Community Controlled Services or Aboriginal Medical Services can register their organisation sites under a ‘hub and spoke’ model, whereby practices operating under this model are considered as a singular organisation for the purposes of MyMedicare Registration.
General practice accreditation requirements and exemptions. Note that accreditation exemptions for non-traditional practices are in effect until 30 June 2025.
Provider registration requirements outlining which providers are eligible
Patient registration requirements including patient eligibility, exemptions to MBS service requirements, and more on patient registration
Patient consent of MyMedicare
Withdrawing from MyMedicare
MBS items linked to MyMedicare
Incentive programs Linked to MyMedicare
My Health Record and MyMedicare

For support on MyMedicare and the General Practice Aged Care Incentive, please contact your Practice Advancement Officer.