Media Release
ANZ signs on to electronic Medicare claiming
21 December 2007
Minister for Human Services, Senator Joe Ludwig, announced today that the ANZ bank this week signed on to deliver electronic Medicare claiming, through the Medicare Easyclaim system.
ANZ joins the Commonwealth Bank, NAB and Tyro as the fourth banking institution to join the system. This will give more than 70 per cent of doctors with EFTPOS the opportunity to offer Medicare Easyclaim to their patients, once the system is rolled out.
Senator Ludwig welcomed ANZ’s sign-on, saying the bank would work with Medicare Australia and the medical profession in delivering on-the-spot claiming.
“Electronic Medicare claiming, through either Medicare Easyclaim or the Internet-based Medicare Online, offers increased patient convenience and greater choice for medical practices,” Senator Ludwig said.
“On-the-spot Medicare claiming means patients can lodge their claim electronically after they pay the doctor. Their rebate is then deposited directly into their bank account.
“Since June, GPs and specialists across the country have assisted more than 51 000 patients to lodge their claims through Medicare Easyclaim,” Senator Ludwig said.
The Australian Government is supporting medical practices in helping their patients, with a transitional support package aimed at increasing the number of bulk bill and patient claims made electronically.
Senator Ludwig said Medicare Australia was working not only to expand the availability of on-the-spot electronic claiming but also to further simplify the claiming solution and to make the transaction times even faster.
“People should look for signs saying they can claim their rebate on-the-spot next time they visit their doctor,” Senator Ludwig added.
Background information
Medicare Easyclaim, which offers EFTPOS-based claiming for both patients and bulk-billing, started rolling out to medical practices across Australia through the Commonwealth Bank in June.
ANZ will now work towards accreditation and roll out of their Medicare Easyclaim system, with it expected to be available by mid 2008. Internet-based claiming, called Medicare Online, was introduced to medical practices in 2002. It is currently used by about 7000 practices nationwide, predominately for bulk bill claims.
Media Contact: John Noble 0409 926 397.