More than 150,000 Australians have signed up for the new MyMedicare program, part of the federal government's plan to boost the public health system.
The voluntary program gives both patients and providers a range of benefits, including longer telehealth consultations and greater bulk billing incentives.
This is what you need to know about MyMedicare, including how you can sign up for it.
What is MyMedicare?
MyMedicare is a new, voluntary registration that allows Australians to formally nominate their regular GP.
In exchange, both the patient and GP get access to select benefits.
The program is free and voluntary to sign up for, and changing preferred GPs or even withdrawing from the system can be done at any time.
What are the benefits?
Patients who sign up for MyMedicare will get access to longer telehealth appointments funded by Medicare.
People in aged care homes will also be provided with more GP visits, while, from midway through next year, people who visit hospital frequently will get "connections to more appropriate care in general practice".
Practices will also benefit.
They'll get more information about patients who nominate them as their preferred practitioner, which the health department says will make it "easier to tailor services to fit the patient's needs".
They will also be given triple bulk billing incentives for longer telehealth appointments for children, pensioners and concession card holders.
Who's eligible and how can I sign up?
Eligibility for MyMedicare is fairly broad – anyone with a Medicare or veteran card can sign up, as can anyone going through hardship like domestic violence or homelessness.
If you've had two appointments at one practice in the past 24 months – or one visit if the practice is in a remote area – you're also eligible.
Parents or guardians can register their children if one of them is eligible, and kids older than 14 can sign up themselves.
Patients can sign up online via their Medicare account or app, or they can ask their GP to begin the process.
Or, if paper registration is more your thing, you can fill out a physical registration form and return it to your GP.
Regardless of which method you choose, you won't be able to nominate your preferred practice until it has signed up for the program.
Why is the government introducing it?
The Department of Health says the new program will lead to better healthcare for Australians who sign up.
"Evidence shows that seeing the same GP and healthcare team regularly leads to better health outcomes," it says.
"Seeing your GP regularly and formalising the relationship you have with your GP and general practice through MyMedicare may lead to better health outcomes."
The program is part of a wider boost for Medicare in this year's federal budget, including $3.5 billion in incentivising bulk billing – which came into effect on November 1 – and double-length prescriptions for 300 medicines on the PBS.
"We're delivering the biggest investment in Medicare in over 40 years, with more incentives for bulk billing and 58 new urgent care clinics across Australia," Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said.
"These changes to the Medicare bulk billing incentive will make it easier, and cheaper for more than 11 million Australians to visit a doctor."
