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:

• 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.

Get support

The Department of Health, Disabilities and Ageing representatives are hosting a webinar about the Assignment of Benefit (AoB) changes coming into effect on 1 July 2026, followed by time for a Q&A session on the 15th of June. Please register to attend here.  

Clinical software providers have announced webinars throughout June:

• Best Practice
• HotDoc
• Cubiko

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.