Medicare GPCCMP (CDM) Referral Updates

Medicare GPCCMP (CDM) Referral Updates

Update 11/06/2026

Medicare Updates - June 2026:

Medicare Assignment of Benefit changes commence 1 July 2026

From 1 July 2026, new Assignment of Benefit (AoB) requirements will apply to Medicare bulk billed services. These changes are relevant to podiatrists who bulk bill Medicare-funded services, including Chronic Condition Management (CCM) services.

Key changes include:

  • AoB agreements can be completed electronically or on paper, with no prescribed form required.
  • Patient consent must be obtained before a Medicare claim is submitted.
  • The patient or an authorised representative must provide a physical or electronic signature.
  • Practitioners must retain AoB records for two years and provide a copy to the patient on request.
  • Where a patient is unable to sign, a responsible person may sign on their behalf.
  • Verbal consent for telehealth services will no longer be accepted.

Members who bulk bill Medicare services may wish to review their current consent and claiming processes ahead of the commencement date.

Information and resources

Note: We have been made aware that certain invoicing systems, such as Tyro, will capture evidence of the assignment through the terminal. If in doubt contact your practice management system provider

MBS indexation from 1 July 2026

From 1 July 2026, annual indexation will be applied to a range of Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) items, with the Government confirming an indexation factor of 2.6%.

The indexation arrangements apply to most general medical services items, most diagnostic imaging services and a range of pathology services.

At the time of writing, APodA is awaiting official confirmation regarding the indexed fees that will apply to podiatry MBS items and has sought clarification from the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.

APodA will continue to monitor this issue and will provide members with a summary of the updated podiatry rebate amounts as soon as official information becomes available.

Further information regarding this announcement can be found here

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  • Updated July 2025

What is the policy issue?

The Australian Government has released new rules for GP Chronic Condition Management Plans for the Medicare Benefits Schedule, which take effect from 1 July 2025.

A number of areas in the new rules required clarification and the Government has provided a response to the questions raised.

Overall, the key to ensuring that a patient is eligible for a service is to check. The advice provided is:

This step will go a long way to answering many of the questions raised in preparation for implementation on 1 July 2025.

What is APodA advocating for?

Clarity on how to operationalise the new arrangements specifically in relation to reporting, payment, and monitoring of patient GPCCMP visits.

What has APodA been doing?

  • Met with the Commonwealth Chief Allied Health Officer and raised the issues.
  • Written to Government Officials responsible for the GPCCMP MBS changes.
  • Received advice that a resource will be provided to answer the questions raised and guide allied health.
  • Raised the issue with Allied Health Professions Australia.
  • Developed a letter template to assist APodA members with GP referrals here >>

Let us know at advocacy@podiatry.org.au if you’re encountering difficulties applying the new referral changes in practice. We’re continuing to work with AHPA and government contacts to ensure these updates are clear, workable, and support clinical practice.

MBS Frequently asked questions can be found HERE