From 1 July 2026, the Australian Government is updating the way patients give consent for bulk‑billed Medicare services. Clinics have 1 year to make the transition. Bulk billing (or direct billing) is where a medical practitioner, with the patient’s agreement, accepts the patient’s Medicare benefit as full payment for a service. When a practitioner bulk bills a patient, the practitioner can receive the Medicare benefit for the service directly from Services Australia, using the online claiming facility.  Bulk billing will continue to mean no out‑of‑pocket cost for eligible services.

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Mount Waverley Medical Services will continue to be a mixed billing clinic. Patients who are under 16 years of age and have a valid Pension Card will continue to be bulk-billed. Patients who do not meet the above criteria will continue to incur private charges.

 

A patient is required to sign a Medicare assignment of benefit form for a bulk-billed professional service. Consent can be given electronically (SMS), or written by way of a paper Medicare Assignment of Benefit form. The patient will also receive a copy for their records.

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The SMS message will always be delivered from a verified Sender ID: “GunaratneMC” that has been assigned to the clinic, which assists in building confidence that the message is secure and from a known source.

 

What you need to do:

• After your Face-to-Face consultation before leaving the clinic, please stop at reception so our team can complete the quick process.

• If you are being bulkbilled, the reception team will send you an SMS that contains a link.

• When you are bulk billed your authorisation allows Medicare to pay the benefit to your doctor. You will not incur any charges, and no further action is required on your part.

• If you choose not to sign, a private account will be issued, and payment will be required on the day. Medicare will then reimburse you your portion directly, usually within 24 hours.

• If you have a Telehealth consultation, the reception team will send you an SMS that contains a link. Please consent to bulk-billing.

 

What this means for our patients:

Our clinic will make this transition as smooth as possible. You may be asked to provide a digital or written signature when you attend your appointment. This can be done in clinic at reception or by completing the assignment process through the SMS text that will be sent after your appointment. 

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This process only takes a moment and ensures we can continue to offer bulk‑billed services at your doctors discretion if you are under 16 years and hold a valid Australian Pension Card.

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The assignment of Medicare Benefits applies to ALL Bulk Billed consults, both in-clinic and Telehealth.

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The assignment of Medicare Benefits does NOT apply to private billing.

 

Click on this step by step GUIDE on how to consent via SMS for a bulk-billed consultation.