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.
Reform of after-hours programs
We are reviewing and redesigning primary care after-hours programs and policies. We want to help build an after-hours system that integrates with regular primary care and reduces pressure on hospital emergency departments.
As part of the reform of after-hours programs we will:
- review after-hours policies and programs
- support Primary Health Networks (PHNs) to extend the PHN After-Hours Program for 2 years from July 2023
- support PHNs to commission services to improve access to primary care for multicultural communities and people experiencing homelessness
- enhance healthdirect’s after-hours service offerings.
Working Better for Medicare Review
The Working Better for Medicare Review is identifying opportunities and removing barriers to improve the uneven spread of doctors and health workers. It aims to better 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.