Reducing admin burden of assignment of benefit changes 'still being explored'

One of those options is to bring forward enduring assignment of benefit regulatory amendments earlier than planned, which could allow patients to sign one agreement relating to all doctors at a practice.

In information to providers in September the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing confirmed it was looking at ways to simplify processes.

“The department is continuing its investigation of legal options for simpler bulk billing. Advice and options will be provided to the government later this calendar year,” it read.

Changes to assignment of benefit (AoB) processes were brought in from 1 July as the department looked to avoid potential legal risks.

Doctors have been able to receive Medicare rebates technically paid to a patient sent on to them for providing bulk billed services through a verbal agreement.

But a 2023 report from the Australian National Audit Office warned there could be legal risks with the process, prompting changes from the department.

Initially the changes would have required patients to sign an agreement each time AoB rebate was sought. But after widespread concern from GPs, Health Minister Mark Butler confirmed verbal agreements could remain in place for 12 months until other options were explored.

Speaking on a recent AoB webinar, director of telehealth at medical benefits at the department Roland Balodis said enduring agreements were more complex but could offer “significant administrative advantages”.

There are three patient groups where an enduring agreement is currently an option – those registered with MyMedicare, patients of an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, and those within a residential aged care home.

Outside of these settings enduring agreements are not an option at this time, Mr Balodis said.

He said the department was currently investigating how it could streamline agreements going forward.

“The current wording of legislation and regulations is that patients or assignors make an agreement with an individual. Generalising that cuts across not just health law, but contract law, and it is a complex issue that we hope to investigate,” he said.

“We do appreciate that it could be administratively simpler to have one signature for all of the professionals for a common set of services, but we also don’t want to have a situation where such agreements could become invalidated as soon as the practice roster changes.

“It’s something that we do need to investigate, and we do need to provide advice on.”

The RACGP has been vocal that any changes to AoB processes must avoid placing additional administration burden onto GPs.