Medicare two-way
On this page
- What is Medicare two-way?
- Which private health funds participate in Medicare two-way?
- How do I lodge my Medicare two-way claim at a Medicare office?
- How do I lodge my Medicare two-way claim with my private health fund?
- How do I lodge an ancillary claim at a Medicare office?
- Where can I get more information?
- Participating health funds
Making lodging claims easier for people with private health insurance.
What is Medicare two-way?
Medicare two-way is an Australian Government initiative designed to make lodging health claims easier for people with private health insurance. Under Medicare two-way you can lodge all your in-hospital and ancillary claims either with your participating private health fund or with Medicare.
Which private health funds participate in Medicare two-way?
There are over 35 funds participating in Medicare two-way. A complete list pf funds participating in Medicare two-way is available below, or you can ask at your local Medicare office.
How do I lodge my Medicare two-way claim at a Medicare office?
To lodge your Medicare two-way claim at your local Medicare office you will need to:
- complete a Medicare claim form [PDF, 66Kb]
and a Medicare two-way claim form [PDF, 109Kb] —also available at your local Medicare office - attach your original accounts, and receipts if paid, and
- place them in the 'drop box' or lodge with Medicare office staff.
Medicare will pay your Medicare claim and forward your private health fund claim to your private health fund for processing. Private health fund payments will be paid by either Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) or cheque. You will need to check with your private health fund if they offer EFT facilities.
Please note: If you visit your local Medicare office to claim your rebate in person and your account is paid in full, there is no need to complete a Medicare claim form.
How do I lodge my Medicare two-way claim with my private health fund?
To lodge your Medicare two-way claim with your private health fund you will need to:
- complete your private health fund’s claim form
- complete a Medicare claim form [PDF, 66Kb] —also available from your private health fund
- attach your original accounts, and receipts if paid, and
- lodge the form with your private health fund.
Your private health fund will forward your claim to Medicare. Medicare will pay your Medicare claim and forward your private health fund claim to your fund for processing. Private health fund payments will be paid by either EFT or cheque.
Please note: Under the two-way agreement private health funds do not collect one another’s forms.
How do I lodge an ancillary claim at a Medicare office?
Ancillary claims, including dental, optical and physiotherapy, do not attract a Medicare benefit. However, as part of the Medicare two-way program, you are able to complete a Medicare two-way form [PDF, 109Kb], attach the original accounts and receipts and lodge your ancillary claim at your local Medicare office. Your claim will be forwarded to your private health fund for payment.
Where can I get more information?
For more information, visit our Medicare claiming section or call Medicare on 132 011.
Please note: Medicare staff can advise you about participating funds but cannot answer private health fund enquiries. If you have questions about private health fund claims, please call your private health fund.
Participating health funds
- ACA Health Benefits Fund (ACA)
- Australian Health Management Group (AHM)
- Government Employees Health Fund (GEH)
- Illawarra Health Fund (IHF)
- Australian Country Health (ACH)
- Mutual Health (MHF)
- Overseas student Health Cover (OSH)
- Australian Unity Health Limited (AUH)
- BUPA Australia Health Pty Ltd (BUP)
- HBA (HBA)
- ANZ Health (ANZ)
- Mutual Community Limited (MCL)
- TIO (formerly Territory Mutual) (TIO)
- The Card Members Health Insurance Plan AMEX (AMX)
- CSR Health Plan (CSR)
- Super Members Health Plan (SMH)
- Health Cover Direct (HCD)
- St George (STG)
- Cessnock District Health Benefits (CDH)
- CBHS Friendly Society Limited (CBH)
- Credicare Health Fund Limited (CHF)
- Defence Health Limited (DHF)
- The Doctors' Health Fund Limited (AMA)
- Druids Friendly Society (UAD)
- Federation Health (FHF)
- Buller Health (BHF)
- MECU Health (MEC)
- Melbourne Private Health Cover (MEL)
- Power Health (PWH)
- GMF Health (GMF)
- GMHBA Limited (GMH)
- Health Care Insurance Limited (HCI)
- Health Insurance Fund of WA (HIF)
- Health Partners Inc. (HPF)
- Hospitals Contribution Fund of Australia Limited (HCF)
- Latrobe Health Services (LHS)
- Lysaght Peoplecare (LHM)
- Manchester Unity (MUI)
- MBF Alliances Pty Limited (SGI)
- NRMA Health Pty. Ltd. (NRM)
- SGIC Health
- SGIO Health
- Medibank Private Limited (MPL)
- Medical Benefits Fund of Australia Limited (MBF)
- Mildura District Hospital Fund Limited (MDH)
- Navy Health Limited (NHB)
- NIB Health Funds Limited (NIB)
- Phoenix Health Fund Limited (PHF)
- Queensland Country Health Limited (QCH)
- Queensland Teachers' Union Health Fund Ltd. (TUH)
- Union Shopper Health
- Railway & Transport Health Fund Ltd (RTE)
- Reserve Bank Health Society Limited (RBH)
- St Lukes Health (SLM)
- Teachers Federation Health Ltd. NSW (TFH)
- Transport Friendly Society Ltd. (TFS)
- Westfund (WDH)
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Last updated: 29 August, 2008