Explaining and getting patients registered for MyMedicare

What is MyMedicare?

MyMedicare is a voluntary platform designed to streamline and improve patients healthcare journey. By registering with MyMedicare, patients gain access to a range of benefits and increased support from their chosen healthcare providers.

Explaining the Benefits to patients:

1. Enhanced Continuity of Care: When you register with MyMedicare, your chosen general practice is notified. This facilitates better coordination of care, leading to improved health outcomes through consistent and personalised attention.

2. Extended Telehealth Services: Registered patients benefit from longer Medicare Benefit Scheme funded telehealth consultations with their GPs, ensuring easier access to healthcare, particularly for those in remote or challenging situations.

Explaining to patients how to Register:

1. Check Eligibility: To register, ensure they have a Medicare card or a Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) Veteran Card. Face-to-face visits within a specified period are necessary. However, exceptions are made for individuals facing hardship, such as those experiencing domestic violence or homelessness.

2. Select their Preferred Healthcare Provider: Patients can register for MyMedicare at accredited general practices, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services, nurse practitioner-led practices with GPs, and other eligible non-traditional practices.

3. Registration Process: The registration process can be initiated in multiple ways:

   • Online Registration: Begin the process in their Medicare Online Account or Express Plus Medicare Mobile app, ensuring your practice is registered in MyMedicare.

   • Facilitated by Your Practice: You may start the registration process, or you can request them to do so. Subsequently, patients complete the registration through their Medicare Online Account or app.

   • Physical Registration Form: You can also fill out a registration form provided by your practice. Your signature on the form indicates consent to participate in MyMedicare.

*Ash's tip: Completing their registration on the Medicare app is easiest if they have it set up. If not, I recommend using a template on BP or MD to create MyMedicare forms for them to sign at reception with ease. Another great alternative is the use of HotDoc in generating QR codes to initiate the process of creating this for the patient.

Flexibility and Privacy:

Registering with MyMedicare doesn't limit your patient's healthcare options. They can change preferred practices or GPs at any time. Moreover, the platform ensures the privacy and security of your personal information.

Opting Out:

Should they choose to withdraw from MyMedicare, the process is simple and respectful of their decision. Whether patients opt to withdraw online or through direct communication with the GP or Services Australia, their preferences are prioritised.