Why do we ask for your consent?
At Caringbah Family Practice, we are committed to making the Medicare claiming process as simple and convenient as possible for our patients.
For many consultations, your doctor may choose to submit your consultation fee directly to Medicare using Medicare’s Assignment of Benefit (AoB) scheme. This allows Medicare to pay the rebate directly to the practice on your behalf, rather than paying the rebate to you first.
To do this, Medicare requires that we obtain your consent before we submit the claim.
What is the Assignment of Benefit?
The Assignment of Benefit is a Medicare process where you authorise your Medicare benefit for a particular consultation to be paid directly to the medical practice.
By providing your consent, you are confirming that:
- You received the medical service.
- You agree to assign your Medicare benefit for that consultation to Caringbah Family Practice.
- Medicare can pay the applicable rebate directly to the practice.
This consent only applies to the consultation being claimed and does not provide ongoing authority for future visits.
Why is this important?
Obtaining your consent helps us:
- Process your Medicare claim immediately.
- Reduce paperwork and administrative delays.
- Make your visit as efficient and convenient as possible.
- Ensure we comply with Medicare requirements.
Without your consent, we are unable to submit an Assignment of Benefit claim to Medicare.
What happens if I choose not to consent?
Providing your consent is entirely your choice.
If you choose not to accept the Assignment of Benefit, Caringbah Family Practice will be unable to claim the Medicare rebate directly for your consultation.
In this situation, you will be responsible for paying the full consultation fee at the time of your appointment. You may then submit your own claim to Medicare, if applicable, to receive any rebate you are entitled to.
How do I provide my consent?
Consent is quick and easy. Depending on your appointment, we may ask you to:
- Respond to an SMS sent by Medicare or the practice.
- Sign electronically on a tablet at reception.
- Provide verbal consent where permitted under Medicare requirements.
Our reception team will guide you through the process if required.
Questions?
If you have any questions about Medicare claiming or the Assignment of Benefit process, please don’t hesitate to speak with one of our friendly reception staff. We’re always happy to help explain how Medicare claiming works and answer any questions you may have.