Billing under Medicare
Doctors and specialists who charge patients for Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) under Medicare must:
- complete approved education
- meet recognition requirements for general practitioners or specialists
- register with the Medical Board of Australia
- have a Medicare provider number to bill for services listed on the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS)
- satisfy Section 19AB for overseas-trained doctors and foreign graduates.
Recent policy reforms support and encourage doctors working in general practice to achieve specialist qualifications.
Doctors with fellowship
Doctors who are permanent residents or Australian citizens must hold vocational recognition (fellowship) to get a Medicare provider number and access rebates.
Doctors without fellowship
Doctors who do not hold vocational recognition are those who don’t have a fellowship. These doctors attract a lower Medicare rebate.
We support doctors to gain fellowship through the Non-vocationally Registered Fellowship Support Program.
International medical graduates
Overseas-trained doctors and foreign graduates of an accredited medical school can access Medicare benefits. To access Medicare benefits they must work in certain locations and meet eligibility requirements under section 19AB of the national Health Insurance Act 1973.