Medicare Easyclaim
Medicare Easyclaim is a quick, easy, secure and convenient way for you to claim your rebate at the doctor’s.
Key features
- It’s quick, easy, secure and convenient
- You save yourself a trip to a Medicare office
- A more convenient way for you to claim your rebate
- Your rebate is paid directly into your nominated bank account
- Less paperwork for you.
What Medicare Easyclaim means for you
If you normally pay to see your doctor, Medicare Easyclaim lets you claim your rebate on the spot, using the EFTPOS terminal in your doctor’s practice. Your rebate is paid directly into your cheque or savings account almost immediately.
How it works
If you pay your account in full
Step 1: After you pay for your account (using cash, credit card or EFTPOS), your Medicare card is swiped through the practice’s EFTPOS terminal.
Step 2: Practice staff enter the claim details through the EFTPOS keypad and send it to us for verification. The claim is checked and an approval is sent back to the terminal a few seconds later.
Step 3: You then swipe your EFTPOS card through the EFTPOS terminal, enter your PIN and your rebate is paid into your nominated cheque or savings account almost immediately.
Step 4: Practice staff give you an EFTPOS receipt to confirm your rebate has been paid—keep this receipt for your records.
What’s the difference? You receive your rebate almost immediately and there is no need to visit a Medicare office.
Important: rebates can only be deposited into cheque or savings accounts, even if you used a credit card to pay your account.
If you don’t pay your account in full
Step 1: After you’ve visited your doctor, your Medicare card is swiped through the practice’s EFTPOS terminal.
Step 2: The claim is checked and an approval is sent back to the terminal a few seconds later. A cheque made out to your doctor is posted to you within 14 days.
Step 3: Once you have received the cheque, take it to your doctor and pay any outstanding balance.
What’s the difference? There is no need to visit a Medicare office and your doctor receives a faster payment.
Some important things to know
- Take your Medicare and EFTPOS cards with you each time you visit your doctor.
- A rebate can only be deposited into a cheque or savings account linked to your EFTPOS card—it can’t be paid into a credit card account. This applies even if you paid your doctor using a credit card.
- Practice staff can’t give you cash on the spot—we will deposit your rebate into your cheque or savings account within two to three working days.
- Practice staff can only lodge a claim for an account you have just paid.
If you’re bulk billed
If you’re bulk billed, nothing changes. Instead of signing a form, practice staff will ask you to swipe your Medicare card and press a button on the EFTPOS keypad to assign your benefit to them. Doctors who bulk bill can use Medicare Easyclaim to receive their payment faster.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Medicare Easyclaim available?
Medicare Easyclaim is gradually being rolled out to participating medical practices. Just look for the Medicare Easyclaim sign or ask the practice staff if they offer Medicare Easyclaim next time you visit your doctor.
Can I still go to a Medicare office if I don’t want to use Medicare Easyclaim?
Yes—you can still visit your local Medicare office or use any of our other claiming options available to claim your rebate.
Is there anything I can’t claim through Medicare Easyclaim?
There are a small number of Medicare items that you cannot claim a rebate for through Medicare Easyclaim—practice staff can let you know what these items are. For these items, you will need to use one of our other claiming options available to claim your rebate.
What happens if my claim is rejected?
If your claim is rejected just take your original account and receipt to your local Medicare office or use any of the other claiming options available to claim your rebate.
What if my rebate doesn’t end up in my bank account?
If you don’t receive your rebate within three working days, check with your bank first then call us on 132 011. You may need to give information from your receipt, so keep it until you are satisfied the rebate has been paid into your bank account.
Can I claim for someone not on my Medicare card, for instance, my grandchild?
Yes—if you are the person who paid the account, you can claim a rebate for someone not on your Medicare card.
Does this mean my local Medicare office will close?
No—there will still be lots of work for Medicare office staff to do, including processing organ donor and childhood immunisation registrations, complex claims and answering general enquiries. Medicare offices also offer a broad range of government services and payments such as Family Assistance.
Will my privacy be protected?
Yes—all information sent electronically between us and your doctor’s practice is securely encrypted. Banks are not permitted to store, see or use any claiming information. Details of the medical service itself will not appear on your bank statement.
More information
For more information talk to one of our service offices in your local Medicare office or call us on 132 011.
Last updated: 18 March, 2010
