Media Release: Medicare trials new, innovative payment options
29 December 2011
The Hon Brendan O'Connor MP
Medicare is rolling out new electronic payment options which will give Australians more choice about how they receive their Medicare benefits.
Minister for Human Services Brendan O'Connor announced today that 20 Medicare offices around Australia will move away from traditional cash benefits in 2012, towards innovative, fast electronic payment options.
"More of our customers will be able to have their Medicare benefits paid straight into their bank account, using either credit EFTPOS or EFT payments," Mr O'Connor said.
"Credit EFTPOS is a new option for our customers – it lets them simply swipe their debit card at Medicare to have their benefits deposited into their bank account immediately.
"It's faster and safer, and the feedback we've had from the small number of offices it is already offered in has led us to roll it out in more offices in 2012."
Credit EFTPOS will be offered in addition to EFT transfers, which have been available for several years. Customers register their bank details with Medicare and their benefits are transferred to them.
Only eight per cent of Medicare benefits were paid in cash in 2010-11, and fewer than four per cent were paid by cheque.
"Almost 250 million Medicare services were claimed electronically in 2010-11, and more than 30 per cent of all patient claim services were submitted electronically, either at the doctor or using the new internet service for claiming Medicare benefits online," Mr O'Connor said.
"Offering credit EFTPOS and EFT transfers is about delivering what Australians want. It aligns us with other industries such as retail and health insurance who also offer electronic payment options such as credit EFTPOS.
"As well as giving customers more options, electronic payment methods are faster to process – giving staff more time to spend with customers who need extra support.
"Staff will be explaining new options to customers, and it's important to note that if people don't want their benefits paid directly to their bank, staff can always offer alternatives. This is about delivering what works for each individual customer."
While only 20 sites will initially be offering these options in 2012, Medicare will consider expanding the service, dependent on customer preferences.
More information about Medicare's claiming options is available at www.medicare.gov.au
State |
Sites offering new payment options |
|---|---|
Victoria |
Airport West, Ararat, Portland, Werribee |
Queensland |
Ayr, Kingaroy, Maryborough |
New South Wales |
Batemans Bay, Bathurst, Broken Hill, Goulburn, Gunnedah,Inverell, Lithgow |
South Australia |
Colonnades, Port Augusta, Port Lincoln |
Northern Territory |
Darwin |
Western Australia |
Geraldton, Joondalup |
(start dates to be confirmed in 2012)