What is Assignment of Benefit? 

From 1st July 2026, Assignment of Benefit (AoB) refers to the process by which a patient authorises Medicare to pay their benefit directly to the healthcare provider, rather than reimbursing the patient (also known as ‘bulk-billing’). This arrangement streamlines payments to providers and reduces administrative effort for both patients and practices. 

What you need to know? 

Every time you present for an appointment (whether in person, or via telehealth), you are required to consent to be bulk-billed by providing a signature on a paper form; or accepting electronically, via responding to an SMS message. Our staff are here to assist you with this during this transition period, which may be confusing for many.

In a nutshell - You must assign your benefit in order for your consultation to be paid.

There may be times when Medicare does not accept a claim on the first submission. This can happen if Medicare needs more information or if details on the original claim need to be updated. When this occurs, your practice is legally required to ask you to reassign your Medicare benefit so the corrected claim can be resubmitted. This will require another signature, or another SMS to be accepted. 

If you choose not to complete this step, Medicare will not allow the claim to be processed as bulk-billed, and you will be required to pay the full cost of the service. 

Why are these changes happening? 

Medicare and the Government have recognized the current process for providing bulk-billing consent required modernization, with clearer legal standards and processes. 

It is also designed to reduce Medicare fraud, whereby providers claim for services not provided to the patient. These changes aim to ensure transparency between patients and providers with regard to service provision; and provide patients with both traditional and digital options for providing consent for their medical treatment to be bulk-billed.