From 1 July 2026, important changes to Medicare Assignment of Benefit requirements will take effect.
Following direct feedback and advocacy from ACCHOs, NACCHO and the state and territory peaks, the Australian Government and Department of Health, Disability and Ageing have announced key changes for the sector:
- Verbal assignment of benefit will be permitted for all bulk-billed patients, in all settings, during a 12-month transition period.
- From 1st July, 2026, patients will be able to make an enduring assignment of benefit agreement directly with an ACCHO.
- Patients will be able to have enduring agreements with multiple ACCHOs or AMSs.
- For ACCHOs, the enduring assignment of benefit will not be linked to MyMedicare registration.
This is a significant outcome for the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health sector and a direct response to the concerns and practical issues raised by ACCHOs.
This is a must-attend webinar for ACCHO leaders, clinicians, practice managers, billing teams and staff responsible for Medicare claiming and service delivery.
NACCHO and the Department of Health, Aging and Disability will explain the changes, what they mean in practice, what ACCHOs need to do ahead of implementation on 1 July 2026, and how the additional changes will reduce the administrative burden on ACCHOs.
Webinar details
 – June 22
– 9:00 AM – 10 00 AM AEST
– REGISTER HERE.
The webinar will be recorded and made available through the NACCHO Learning Management System to registered participants who are unable to attend.
