Topics

Medicare

Medicare is Australia’s universal health insurance scheme. It guarantees all Australians (and some overseas visitors) access to a wide range of health and hospital services at low or no cost. Find out what we’re doing to improve Medicare for all Australians.

About Medicare

What Medicare is, how it works, who’s eligible and who manages it.

What's covered

What Medicare does and doesn’t cover, and other support programs. 

Safety nets

Safety nets provide extra support to people with high medical costs.

Compliance

How we protect our health payment system from incorrect billing.

View all Medicare information

As a health practitioner you must meet certain requirements to bill for Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) items under Medicare or prescribe subsidised medicines. Pathology and diagnostic imaging services must also meet accreditation standards to access Medicare.

Information for health practitioners

Health Products Portal

The Health Products Portal helps us work with the medicines and technology sector more efficiently. Industry can make, track, pay for, and manage submissions to list products and services on the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) or Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) Schedule.

Learn more about the portal

News

News

TV interview with Minister Butler and Emma Rebellato, ABC News Breakfast - 5 December 2024

Read the transcript of Minister Butler's interview with Emma Rebellato which covered economy growth; cost of living initiatives; private health insurance rates; Donna Nelson; UN vote and 1 million visits to Medicare Urgent Care Clinics.

1 million visits to Medicare Urgent Care Clinics

The Australian Government’s Medicare Urgent Care Clinics will this week achieve an historic milestone with 1 million free visits across the country.

The new Understanding Medicare: Provider Handbook is here

View more news

Resources

Resources

Understanding Medicare: Provider Handbook

Guideline
This handbook is a plain English guide that details the fundamental elements and principles of Medicare. It provides core guidance for healthcare professionals and others navigating the Medicare system.
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