Thousands of Aussies owe $241 million unpaid Medicare benefits—are you eligible?
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Did you know that a staggering $241 million in Medicare benefits have gone unclaimed simply because recipients haven't updated their bank details?
That's right, more than 930,000 Australians are missing out on their share of these funds, and you could be one of them.
The Department of Social Services has recently highlighted this issue, revealing that the average Australian is owed about $260 in unpaid Medicare benefits.
For some, the amount is even more substantial, with 200 individuals owed sums exceeding $10,000.
‘Young people are owed the most, with more than 224,000 Australians aged between 18 and 24 owed over $52 million,’ National Disability Insurance Scheme and Government Services minister Bill Shorten said.
‘Once you update your details, Services Australia will pay your unpaid benefits within three days.’
Shorten said it takes less than a minute for the average person with a myGov account linked to Medicare to check and update their bank details using the myGov app.
Once updated, Services Australia promises to pay your unpaid benefits within three days. If you're owed money, you should receive a notification directly through your myGov inbox.
‘Services Australia is in the process of sending over half a million notifications to people’s myGov inbox asking them to update their details,’ Shorten said.
‘Services Australia paid almost $30 billion in Medicare benefits to Australians last financial year.’
‘All up, we’ve reunited over half a million Australians with $117 million in unpaid Medicare benefits since December 2023.’
The unclaimed benefits represent only a ‘small portion’ of the overall Medicare benefits paid out to Australians.
The urgency of claiming these benefits is underscored by the fact that Medicare rebates for subsidised services, such as seeing a GP, are not keeping pace with skyrocketing medical fees.
RACGP President Nicole Higgins has voiced concerns that Medicare rebates have not kept up with inflation, leading to increased out-of-pocket costs for patients.
‘We need meaningful investment in patients’ rebates to make essential healthcare affordable for all Australians,’ Higgins said.
An annual survey by the Royal Australian College of GPs showed that the average fee for a 20-minute consultation rose from $74.66 in 2023 to $78.26 in 2024.
The survey also revealed the spike in GPs charging over $90 for a consultation, jumping from 23 per cent to 37 per cent. After a visit to the GP, patients are now, on average, $45 out of pocket.
The proportion of GPs fully bulk billing their patients has also decreased significantly, from 24 per cent in 2022 to 13 per cent, as ‘GPs face significant challenges with the rising cost of providing care and financial viability concern’.
Have you checked your Medicare account recently? Were you surprised by any unclaimed benefits? Share your experiences in the comments below.
That's right, more than 930,000 Australians are missing out on their share of these funds, and you could be one of them.
The Department of Social Services has recently highlighted this issue, revealing that the average Australian is owed about $260 in unpaid Medicare benefits.
For some, the amount is even more substantial, with 200 individuals owed sums exceeding $10,000.
Thousands of Aussies owed share of $241 million in unpaid Medicare benefits. Credit: Shutterstock
‘Young people are owed the most, with more than 224,000 Australians aged between 18 and 24 owed over $52 million,’ National Disability Insurance Scheme and Government Services minister Bill Shorten said.
‘Once you update your details, Services Australia will pay your unpaid benefits within three days.’
Shorten said it takes less than a minute for the average person with a myGov account linked to Medicare to check and update their bank details using the myGov app.
Once updated, Services Australia promises to pay your unpaid benefits within three days. If you're owed money, you should receive a notification directly through your myGov inbox.
‘Services Australia is in the process of sending over half a million notifications to people’s myGov inbox asking them to update their details,’ Shorten said.
‘Services Australia paid almost $30 billion in Medicare benefits to Australians last financial year.’
‘All up, we’ve reunited over half a million Australians with $117 million in unpaid Medicare benefits since December 2023.’
The unclaimed benefits represent only a ‘small portion’ of the overall Medicare benefits paid out to Australians.
The urgency of claiming these benefits is underscored by the fact that Medicare rebates for subsidised services, such as seeing a GP, are not keeping pace with skyrocketing medical fees.
RACGP President Nicole Higgins has voiced concerns that Medicare rebates have not kept up with inflation, leading to increased out-of-pocket costs for patients.
‘We need meaningful investment in patients’ rebates to make essential healthcare affordable for all Australians,’ Higgins said.
An annual survey by the Royal Australian College of GPs showed that the average fee for a 20-minute consultation rose from $74.66 in 2023 to $78.26 in 2024.
The survey also revealed the spike in GPs charging over $90 for a consultation, jumping from 23 per cent to 37 per cent. After a visit to the GP, patients are now, on average, $45 out of pocket.
The proportion of GPs fully bulk billing their patients has also decreased significantly, from 24 per cent in 2022 to 13 per cent, as ‘GPs face significant challenges with the rising cost of providing care and financial viability concern’.
