On 1 July 2026, new Medicare Assignment of Benefit (AOB) requirements come into effect and these changes impact the process by which a patient gives consent, or “assigns”, their Medicare benefit to the doctor or health fund. The aim is to replace old paper-heavy processes with more electronic options, improve transparency for patients, and strengthen Medicare integrity.
To learn more, see the Department of Health FAQ.
Bulk Billing
To comply with these changes, doctors should use Zedmed's electronic Bulk Billing consent form. This form will be updated to better align with the Assignment of Benefit changes, but is compliant in its current form.
To learn more, see the Department of Health guidance.
Eclipse
To comply with the changes, Zedmed's ECLIPSE billing will require selecting either Implied Assignment or Requested Assignment when submitting a claim. This update will be available in Zedmed v39.4.
Implied Assignment
An insurer arrangement applies to the service (e.g., gap cover agreements or MPPAs, etc.). An automatic assignment of the Medicare benefit to a private health insurer or approved billing agent. No explicit patient signature or request is required.
Requested Assignment
A health fund arrangement does not apply to the service (e.g., contracts relating to hospital accommodation, theatre fees, etc. but not medical services). A manual assignment request by the patient. Facilitated by the medical provider, hospital, or organisation.
To learn more, see the Department of Health disability and Agency guidance