The General Practice in Aged Care Incentive is designed to provide consistent high-quality primary care for aged care residents by their regular GPs and practices.

From 1 August 2024, GPs and practices registered in MyMedicare will receive incentives for delivering comprehensive care, including health assessments, care plans and regular visits to their registered patients in Residential Aged Care Homes (RACH).

RACH residents will be required to be registered in MyMedicare and the GP linked to the patient’s registered practice for GPs to access the incentive.

Further information about the Aged Care incentive can be found here.

How do Aged Care Residents register for MyMedicare?

Practices and GPs are encouraged to register their aged care resident patients in MyMedicare as a priority to fully benefit from the incentive.

Residents can register with the help of their doctor, through their Medicare Online Account or Express Plus Medicare mobile application, or through a paper-based form. There is no need to physically attend a practice.

Residents who have a Medicare or DVA card and have received two in person appointments with their regular practice in the preceding 24 months (or one appointment in rural and remote areas) can register for MyMedicare. Noting that Services Australia is unable to process hardcopy registration forms. Practices must enter these into Health Professional Online Services and keep a copy in the patient’s clinical records.

Resources to support Aged Care Resident engagement 

To help you talk with your residents about MyMedicare and answer questions they may have, the Department of Health and Aged Care has released resources, including translated material, for general practices and healthcare providers. Additionally, SEMPHN has created a key messages document to assist with conversations.

Translated support material:

• Introducing to MyMedicare
• Registering in MyMedicare

Patient registration support resources for general practices and healthcare providers:

• GP and community stakeholder kit
• Brochures and posters
• FAQs
• Fact sheets
• Patient registration form
• Webinars