Media Statement - 2nd July 2009
Medicare Australia has just recorded its two millionth bank account detail from Australians choosing to have their Medicare rebate paid into their bank account.
This is up from 281,660 when the Rudd Government took office in November 2007.
The landmark figure is a sign that Australians are throwing their support behind the electronic claiming system and that many people would prefer to have their Medicare rebate processed on the spot at the point of service.
"Health care professionals are coming on board with over one million transactions made electronically across Australia in the last month alone," Mr Bowen said.
"Recent Medicare Australia research found 80 per cent of people who pay to see their GP would like the choice of being able to claim their Medicare rebate on the spot at their GP.
"For practices in metropolitan areas it is about offering patients a choice. Patients can use electronic claiming or they can take their bill to a Medicare office to claim their rebate if they want to.
"Regional practices are also looking for other avenues to help their patients claim their Medicare rebate. They understand that it's hard for some people to get to their nearest Medicare office."
An additional 4,244 practices across Australia are now offering electronic claiming compared to the same time last year and over one-third of GP patient claims are now transmitted electronically.
Registering bank account details with Medicare Australia also means that if people lodge their claim by mail or at a Medicare office their Medicare rebate can be paid directly into their bank account.
Patients who pay to see their GP can ask practice staff if they can claim their Medicare rebate electronically.
Recent information sessions for practice staff held around the country have helped to demystify electronic claiming and clear up any confusion they had about the process.