Australians are sitting on a collective treasure hoard of unclaimed Medicare benefits, and are being urged to check what they are owed.
Government Services Minister Bill Shorten is set to front media cameras today to call on Australians to claim their share of the $230 million pile.
Here’s how you can look at claiming your share.
If your GP or specialist bulk bills, you don’t have to claim anything.
If not, you can ask them to make a claim for you when you pay for your appointment at the office.
If that’s possible, they can do it on the spot – you’ll just need to have your Medicare card.
After they have filed the claim, Medicare will process it and, if successful, drop the payment to you on the account of the Eftpos card you used to pay, or else into the bank account you have registered with Services Australia.
One way to claim payments is through Medicare Online, for which you’ll also need a myGov account.
This will see your benefits paid into your registered bank account.
You’ll need your invoice, the details of the service you want to claim, and your bank details.
Where Australia ranks in countries with the greatest health freedoms
Read Related Also: Robin Williams’ ‘Mrs. Doubtfire’ improvising racked up 2M feet of film
Claiming benefits through the post is also possible.
You will have to fill out a claims form and send it to the address on the form.
The payment will still be delivered electronically into your bank account.
Finally, you can work out your claim at a Services Australia centre in person.
You’ll need your Medicare card and your bank details to do so.
Services Australia says it will let you know why if your claim doesn’t end in payment.
The usual reasons will include a need for more details, a prior claim being made, or a mistake during the claim.
Can I claim for somebody else?
In certain circumstances, yes you can – even if you’re on separate Medicare cards.
However, you will need to prove you paid for the service in the first place.
