Medicare Easyclaim
Medicare Easyclaim is a fast and easy way for medical practices and patients to claim Medicare rebates using EFTPOS. It’s part of our promise to improve services through technology.
Key features
- Fast and easy payment of your rebate directly into your bank account
- Less paperwork (for you and your doctor)
- No need to visit a Medicare office
- No extra bank transaction fees
What Medicare Easyclaim means for you
If you are bulk billed, nothing changes.
If you normally pay to see your doctor, Medicare Easyclaim lets you claim your Medicare rebate on the spot, using the EFTPOS terminal in the doctor’s surgery. Your rebate is paid directly into your cheque or savings account almost immediately.
You can still claim a cash rebate from a Medicare office if you prefer, or post a claim form to receive a cheque.
How does it work?
If you pay your doctor on the spot
STEP 1: After you pay for your consultation (using cash, credit card or EFTPOS), your Medicare card is swiped through the practice’s EFTPOS terminal.
STEP 2: The practice enters the claim details through the EFTPOS keypad and sends it to Medicare Australia. The claim is checked and an approval is sent back a few seconds later. You then swipe your EFTPOS card, enter your PIN and your rebate is paid into your nominated cheque or savings account almost immediately.
Important: Medicare rebates can only be deposited into cheque or savings accounts, even if you used a credit card to pay for your consultation.
STEP 3: The practice gives you an EFTPOS receipt to confirm your rebate has been paid – always keep this receipt for your records.
What’s the difference? Get your rebate almost immediately, no need for a trip to a Medicare office.
If you take an invoice to pay your doctor later
STEP 1: After you’ve seen the doctor, your Medicare card is swiped through the practice’s EFTPOS terminal.
STEP 2: Medicare verifies the claim and an approval message is sent back to the terminal within seconds. A cheque made out to the doctor is posted to you within 14 days.
STEP 3: Take the cheque back to your doctor and pay any outstanding balance.
What’s the difference? No need for a trip to Medicare, faster payment for your doctor.
Some important things to know
- Take your Medicare card every time you go to the doctor.
- To claim your rebate on the spot, you’ll need to take your EFTPOS card too.
- Medicare rebates can only be deposited into a savings or cheque account linked to your EFTPOS card – it can’t be paid into your credit card. This applies even if you paid the doctor using your credit card.
- Practices cannot give you cash on-the-spot – Medicare will deposit the rebate into your cheque or savings account
- There are no additional bank transaction fees for you or your doctor.
- Practices can only process claims for services they have provided.
Frequently asked questions
What if I'm bulk billed?
Nothing changes for patients who are bulk billed.
Instead of signing a form, practices using Medicare Easyclaim will ask you to swipe your Medicare card and press a button on the EFTPOS keypad to assign your benefit to them. Doctors who bulk bill can use Medicare Easyclaim to receive their payment faster.
Where is it available?
Medicare Easyclaim is being rolled out gradually to participating medical practices. Just look for the Medicare Easyclaim sign or ask practice staff if they offer it.
Practices can only process claims for services they have provided.
Can I still go to a Medicare office if I don’t want to use Medicare Easyclaim?
Yes – you can still go to your local Medicare office or use any of the other claiming options that are available.
Is there anything I can’t claim through Medicare Easyclaim?
There are a small number of Medicare benefits that you can’t claim through Medicare Easyclaim. You will need to use one of the other claiming options for these claims.
How is my privacy protected?
All information sent via EFTPOS is encrypted and sent through a secure network. As part of the accreditation agreement for Medicare Easyclaim, financial institutions are not permitted to store, see or use any claiming information.
What happens if my claim is rejected?
You just take your account invoice or receipt to your local Medicare office or use any of the other claiming options that are available.
Find out more
Last updated: 28 May, 2008