[dbaust] MEDICARE SERVICE CHANGES - 1 July 2012
- From: Erika Webb <erikaweb@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: Erika Webb <erikaweb@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2012 19:00:42 -0700 (PDT)
MEDICARE SERVICE
CHANGEShttp://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/information/medicare-service-changes
On 1 July 2012 two changes to Medicare services will come into effect.
The first change will be the roll out of electronic payment options at all
Department of Human Services Service Centres providing Medicare services. These
centres will no longer pay Medicare benefits by cash and, instead, will offer
fast and secure electronic payment options. The roll out was announced on 29
April 2012. It should be completed within 12 weeks from 1 July 2012. The roll
out schedule for this change is available on the DHS
website. http://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/information/medicare-service-changes
All customers will be made aware of the full service offer from the outset,
including the options for immediate payment. Customers will be able to choose
from a range of payment options to have their Medicare benefit paid securely
into their bank account at no cost to them. If a person does not want their
benefit paid into their bank staff can offer alternatives, such as a cheque.
Attached is a fact sheet which contains further information about the change
and a poster to inform your customers of the changes to our services, if you
have room to display it.
From 1 July 2012 Medicare Service Centres will begin going cashless and evening
trading will cease.
Medicare benefits will be paid straight into your bank account – either by
simply swiping your debit card at a service centre for instant access to your
benefit, or by Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) to have your benefit paid into
your bank account the next working day.
This will make the process of claiming a Medicare benefit through our new
electronic options, fast and safe.
Once you have registered your bank account details with us, you can choose from
a range of convenient payment options to have your Medicare benefit paid
securely into your bank account.
Credit EFTPOS – swipe your debit card when your claim is processed to have your
Medicare benefit immediately deposited into your bank account.
EFT payment – your benefit is paid into your bank account the next working day.
You only need to register your bank account details (BSB and account number)
once and no debit card is needed.
Registering your bank account details also makes it easier for you to claim at
your doctor’s or
online.http://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/services/medicare/medicare-online-services
Staff at service centres will be explaining the new process to customers. It's
important to note that, if a person does not want their benefit paid into their
bank, staff can offer alternatives. For example, if a customer does not have a
bank account, a debit card or does not want to have their benefit paid into
their account they can nominate to have their benefit paid into a friend or
family member’s bank account or be provided with a cheque they can cash at a
near-by financial institution.
There are a number of service centres that are already cashless and the rest
will be changing progressively from 1 July 2012
The second change is that, from 1 July 2012, the Department will cease evening
trading for service centres delivering Medicare services. Service centres that
currently open on Saturday mornings will continue to open as usual.
For those who want to claim outside business hours, benefits can be claimed 24
hours a day, seven days a week over the internet.
Changes are also being made to the opening hours for some of our service
centres. While evening trading will no longer be available, service centres
currently open for Saturday mornings will continue to open from 9.00am to
12.30pm as
usual.http://www.humanservices.gov.au/spw/customer/information/resources/changes-to-medicare-trading-hours.pdf
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