MyMedicare
Patients can now strengthen their relationship with their preferred primary care team and improve their continuity of care through MyMedicare. MyMedicare is a new voluntary patient registration model.
General practices have been able to register with MyMedicare since 1 July 2023. Patients with a Medicare card or Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) Veteran Card have been able to register in MyMedicare since 1 October 2023.
Medicare Urgent Care Clinics (Medicare UCCs)
Medicare Urgent Care Clinics (Medicare UCCs) are easing the pressure on hospitals and emergency departments. They give Australian families more options to see a healthcare professional when they have an urgent, but not life-threatening, need for care. 58 Medicare UCCs were established in 2023. The 2024-25 Budget is providing investment for a further 29 Medicare UCCs, taking the total number of clinics to 87 nationally.
Supporting bulk billing in general practice
We are tripling the bulk billing incentive to support GPs to continue to bulk bill Australians who feel the cost-of-living pressures most acutely. This includes children and concession card holders. The new bulk billing incentives started on 1 November 2023.
After-hours review
The After Hours Review identified ways to improve equitable and sustainable access to after-hours primary care.
Working Better for Medicare Review
The Working Better for Medicare Review examined how effective our current health workforce ‘distribution levers’ are. These levers consist of policies and geographic classifications that aim to distribute health workforce across areas that need them most.
Reducing disparity in access to primary care
This measure provides extra funding for the Royal Flying Doctor Service to deliver essential care to people in remote communities. Find out more about funding for the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
Improving First Nations cancer outcomes
This measure supports the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (ACCHO) sector to respond to and support cancer care needs on the ground. It will also ensure mainstream services are culturally safe and accessible by First Nations people with cancer.
General Practice in Aged Care Incentive
The General Practice in Aged Care Incentive aims to support every aged care resident to receive quality primary care services from a regular GP and practice. From 1 August 2024, GPs and practices registered in MyMedicare have received incentive payments for providing their registered patients who permanently live in a residential aged care home with regular visits and better care planning. This will improve continuity of care and reduce avoidable hospitalisations.