Changes to assignment of benefit process

Major changes to the Medicare Assignment of Benefit (AoB) process take effect on 1 July 2026. The primary shift requires all bulk-billed and simplified billing services to have explicit, verifiable patient consent (either digital or physical) prior to an MBS claim being lodged.

Modernising this process aims to:

• make it easier for healthcare providers to file accurate Medicare claims
• increase the use of electronic signatures
• improve automation and integration with practice and hospital software
• safeguard the integrity of Medicare payments
• improve record keeping
• enhance patient awareness and improving the experience of bulk billing and simplified billing

• digitise and automate manual and paper-based processes.

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The Department of Health, Disabilities and Ageing have released an FAQ document that provides information about the up-coming changes. The biggest changes to process include:

• Following a transition period, verbal consent (AoB) will no longer be permitted (including for telehealth).
• An electronic or physical signature will be required from the patient or a responsible person on the AoB agreement. The signature must be identifiable, auditable and compliant with the Electronic Transactions Act 1999 - Federal Register of Legislation.
• Patients will be able to assign a benefit before or after a service is received, so long as the patient agreement is made prior to an MBS claim being lodged.
• Practitioners no longer need to sign the agreement.
• Practitioners will no longer need to use an ‘approved form’, so long as the agreement includes the information required as set out in subsection 65C(4) of the Health Insurance Amendment (Assignment of Medicare Benefits and Other Measures) Regulations 2025 - Federal Register of Legislation.
• Practitioners will be required to keep a copy of the completed AoB agreements for two years and must provide a copy to the patient upon request.

Enduring assignment of benefit

From 1 July 2026, patients registered with MyMedicare, residents of aged care homes, and patients of ACCHOs and AMSs will be able to make an enduring assignment of benefit for ongoing GP bulk billed services, either directly or through a person acting on their behalf.  Specifically; 

• A patient registered with MyMedicare will be able to make one enduring agreement to receive services from all general practitioners at their MyMedicare practice, if offered.
• A patient of an ACCHO or AMS will be able to make an enduring agreement with the ACCHO or AMS, and they will be able to have multiple agreements with multiple ACCHS or AMS.
• A patient living in a residential aged care home will be able to make multiple enduring agreements with different practitioners.

Transition arrangements

The Department will use the 12-month transition period to explore other regulatory and legislative options to further reduce the administrative burden on both GP practices and patients while ensuring the integrity of Medicare is maintained.

Verbal consent will be accepted in all settings for 12 months from the 1st July 2026.

Get support

Providers can email AssignmentofBenefit@health.gov.au if they have questions or concerns about the up-coming changes.

Practices are advised to contact their administration and clinical software providers for guidance on how and when digital processes will be updated to accommodate the changes.

Services Australia provides information about current assignment of benefit requirements and guidance for patients who cannot sign on their websites - Assignment of benefit for bulk bill claims and when patients are unable to sign.