You need to register for Medicare Online to submit online claims from any site using your practice management software.
Payments for bulk billed services are deposited directly into your nominated bank account in 2-3 working days.
This makes it easier for you to help patients claim their Medicare benefit on the spot. Patients can get their benefit electronically, usually by the next working day, by providing their bank account details to us.
If you already have Medicare Online, you can switch on patient claiming in your software. To find out more, contact us or your software developer.
If you’re using Medicare Online for patient claiming, you don’t have to ask patients for bank details. Patients register their bank details with us to claim on the spot at the practice.
Key features
Medicare Online:
- can be used for patient claims and bulk bill claims
- allows Online Patient Verification and Online Eligibility Verification
- provides notification of immunisations through the Australian Immunisation Register
- is integrated with practice management software
- requires an internet connection, PC and practice management software
- requires no batching makes payments within 2-3 working days via electronic funds transfer
- makes payments for patient claims, usually the next working day
- has secure communication using Provider Digital Access (PRODA).
Online functionality offered through Medicare Online specific for Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) claims includes paperless claiming for:
- medical and pathology
- in-hospital services, including accommodation, theatre fees and prostheses
- allied health services
- community nursing services
It also includes online checks to see if a patient is known to DVA.
Assignment of benefit documents
For benefits to be assigned you need to fill the assignment of benefit form. Your patient needs to sign the form and be given a copy.
You no longer need to store assignment of benefit forms at the practice if you’re using Medicare Online.
If we need to confirm the service was provided to your patient, we’ll seek alternative evidence from you. Evidence can include electronic billing information and notes in practice software appointment records. You can also provide the copy of the assignment of benefit form if your practice keeps these.
Medicare digital claiming return codes
When you submit a claim for Medicare benefits, we use return codes to tell you why the claim was rejected or how the claim was assessed. Web service enabled products will get a return code with a meaningful message.
Find more information to Look up Medicare Online and ECLIPSE return codes.