Many doctors now offer Medicare electronic claiming. It’s a fast, secure system that allows you to lodge your Medicare claim at the doctor’s when you pay your account.
Your doctor’s receptionist lodges your claim with Medicare Australia either through the practice’s EFTPOS terminal using your EFTPOS card or through a secure internet connection. Whichever system your doctor uses, your Medicare benefit will generally be paid into your nominated bank account the next working day, sometimes even sooner.
What do you need to do?
If your doctor uses the internet based claiming system, your Medicare benefit will generally be paid into your nominated cheque or savings account the next working day. To begin claiming this way, you just need to provide us with the details of the bank account you’d like your Medicare benefit paid into.
You can register your bank account details:
by completing a Bank account details collection form [PDF, 135Kb]through our Online Services. If you’re not already registered with Online Services, register now by calling 132 011
in person at your local Medicare office
Remember to have Medicare card and bank account details (BSB, account number and account name) with you when you register. Also remember to let us know if your details change in the future.
If your doctor uses the EFTPOS based claiming system—using your EFTPOS card—your Medicare benefit is paid into your bank account almost immediately. Remember to take your Medicare and EFTPOS cards with you when you visit your doctor.
Ask practice staff if they offer Medicare electronic claiming next time you visit your doctor.
We have a network of Medicare offices throughout Australia where claims can be made in person or by using the Medicare drop box. Find your nearest Medicare office today.
Lodge your Medicare claim online
You can now lodge some Medicare claims online through our Online Services. You can submit claims for anyone listed on your Medicare card. If you’ve registered your bank account details with us your benefit will generally be paid into your account the next working day.
If you aren’t able to claim your benefit from your doctor’s practice, claiming online at a time and place that suits you may be the most convenient way for you to claim from Medicare.
Some GP consultations can be claimed online. Currently, you can claim the following item numbers online—Item 3, Item 23, Item 36, Item 53 and Item 5020. Item numbers consist of one to five digits and will be listed on your account.
There are daily and monthly claiming limits—you can claim a maximum of $250 per day or $550 per 30 days per Medicare card and bank account.
* The monthly limited is calculated as a 30 day rolling limit.
What do you need to do?
It’s easy! Just log on to our Online Services. If you’re not already registered with Online Services, Register Now
Medicare Internet Claiming Frequently Asked Questions
Medicare Internet Claiming Online Tutorials
Only some item numbers can be claimed online. To see if the item number/s on the account you received from your doctor can be claimed using this channel, enter an item number in the field below and select Check item number.
Send a completed Medicare claim form [PDF, 318Kb] with the original accounts and/or receipts to:
Medicare Australia
GPO Box 9822
in your capital city
Do not send your Medicare card when you claim by mail. Once we have received your documents and your claim has been processed, your Medicare benefit will be paid into your nominated bank account or we will send you a cheque.
Call 132 011* - available 24 hours, seven days a week - give your claim details and then send your accounts/receipts to:
Telephone Claiming
Medicare Australia
GPO Box 9847
in your capital city
No claim form is needed to claim through this channel.
If your account is paid in full, we will start processing the claim at the time you call. You must post your accounts/receipts to Medicare Australia.
If your account is unpaid, we will process the claim after receiving your accounts/receipts. A cheque made payable to your doctor/health professional will then be issued. The cheque will be sent to your postal address - the address registered with Medicare - for you to then forward to your doctor/health professional.
*Call charges apply.
Medicare claims can be lodged at participating private health funds if you are a member. Fill in a Medicare claim form [PDF, 318Kb]
, attach the accounts and/or receipts and the private health fund will then send your claim to us on your behalf.
Or, you can fill in a Medicare two-way claim form [PDF, 144Kb], attach the accounts and/or receipts and lodge the claim at your local Medicare office. We will pay the Medicare benefit owing and send the rest of the claim to your private health fund for payment.
You do not need to claim from Medicare Australia as your doctor will bill Medicare Australia directly.