#85 - Assignment Of Benefit: Medicare’s Biggest Change in Years?

Medicare’s Biggest Billing Change in Years? What Every Practice Needs to Know

From 1 July, the way practices obtain and record Assignment of Benefit (AoB) consent is changing... ever so slightly, marking one of the "most significant Medicare administration updates in history".

In this episode, Ami Assigal and Zac Pandur unpack what the new digital consent framework means for general practice, how software vendors are adapting, and what practice owners, managers, and clinicians need to do to remain compliant.

The discussion explores the move away from traditional paper-based processes, the increasing role of practice management systems, patient consent requirements, record keeping obligations, and the potential impact on fraud prevention and accountability. Ami and Zac also dive into the often-overlooked SMS Sender ID reforms at ACMA and why practices should act now to avoid disruption to patient communications.

Whether you're a GP, practice manager, nurse, receptionist, or healthcare business owner, this episode provides practical insights into the operational and compliance changes that will affect every Australian general practice.

In this episode:
• What Assignment of Benefit actually means and why it matters
• The new digital consent requirements commencing 1 July
• How Best Practice, HotDoc, Tyro and other systems are adapting
• Record keeping and compliance obligations for practices
• Potential risks, benefits and fraud considerations
• SMS Sender ID changes and what ACMA practices must do before the deadline
• Practical steps to prepare your practice for implementation

Key Takeaway:
The new AoB framework aims to modernise Medicare claiming and improve patient consent processes, but successful implementation will require practices to understand their obligations, update workflows, and ensure their technology partners are ready.