Claiming and collecting Medicare benefits for someone else
Can I collect a cash benefit for someone else?
Yes—if you are collecting a cash benefit for someone else, the claimant must fill out and sign a Medicare claim form and give you their original accounts and receipts. The claimant is the person who had the expense. They must also fill out and sign the agent's authority section on the claim form giving you authority to claim for them. You will also need to sign this section—this should be done before you come to the Medicare office.
The claimant needs to know that when they authorise someone to collect cash on their behalf, the cash statement that we provide may contain personal information.
A separate letter of authority is not acceptable to claim for someone else.
Do I need their Medicare card?
No—you do not need the claimant's Medicare card when you are collecting a cash benefit. A Medicare card should only ever be in the possession of the people who are listed on the card. However, the Medicare card number must always be written on the claim form. The claim cannot be paid to you without this information.
Do I need any identification?
Yes—you must show identification so we can be sure that you are the person nominated in the agent's authority section on the claim form. Photographic identification is preferred. However documents (or a credit card) that have your name and signature are acceptable.
What if I have paid for the services?
A claim form is not needed if you have paid for an account for someone else and choose to receive a cash benefit.
You just take the original accounts and receipts (the receipt does not need to be in your name) to Medicare, along with the patient's Medicare number. Once the claim has been processed you will need to sign the declaration on the receipt printed at the time of claiming to confirm that you have incurred the expense. We will then pay you a cash benefit.
What if the account has not been paid?
If the account has not been paid then a Medicare claim form needs to be filled out—only the claimant can sign the form. The form can either be posted to Medicare or taken to a Medicare office. Anyone can take the claim into a Medicare office as long as the claimant whose name appears on the form has signed the form.
Can I make a claim if I have Power of Attorney?
Yes—if you hold a Power of Attorney (POA) for someone you will need to show Medicare the original POA document the first time you make a claim for that person.
You will also need to show identification so we know you are the person nominated on the POA document.
Medicare will then record this information for one year. During this time you will not need to bring the POA document with you when you claim, however, you will still need to show us identification. You will need to show us the POA document every year for as long as it is valid.
Last updated: 15 September, 2008