Medicare GPCCMP (CDM) Referral Updates

What is the policy issue?

Changes to Medicare’s Assignment of Benefit (AoB) requirements commenced on 1 July 2026 and apply to podiatrists who bulk bill Medicare-funded services, including services provided under GP Chronic Condition Management Plans (GPCCMPs).

Assignment of Benefit is not a new requirement. When a Medicare service is bulk billed, the patient assigns their Medicare benefit to the provider. Obtaining this assignment has long been an important compliance requirement associated with bulk billing.

The changes from 1 July 2026 modernise and strengthen the way an assignment can be obtained, recorded and retained, and provide clearer evidence that a patient has agreed to assign their Medicare benefit to the provider.

For podiatrists who bulk bill, it is important to ensure that the Assignment of Benefit is incorporated into their practice processes and is appropriately documented for each relevant service.

We have raised concerns about how these requirements operate in some podiatry settings, particularly where services are provided to patients in residential aged care or other circumstances where obtaining an assignment for each service may be difficult.

What is the APodA advocating for?

The APodA supports appropriate Assignment of Benefit requirements and the need to ensure patients understand and agree to the assignment of their Medicare benefit.

However, we are seeking practical and workable arrangements for podiatrists who bulk bill Medicare services.

In particular, we are seeking greater flexibility where obtaining an assignment for each individual service creates difficulties for patients and providers, including care delivered in residential aged care settings.

We have also raised with the Department whether an enduring Assignment of Benefit arrangement, similar to that available to GPs, could be extended to podiatrists and other allied health professionals. This could allow an assignment to cover eligible services over a defined period or course of treatment rather than requiring a separate assignment for every service.

Our concern is that the administrative requirements associated with bulk billing should not inadvertently discourage practitioners from bulk billing or reduce access to care for patients who may be least able to afford an out-of-pocket fee.

What has the APodA been doing?

Met with the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing’s Assignment of Benefit team to discuss the changes and their practical impact on podiatrists.
Raised concerns regarding the operation of the requirements in residential aged care and for patients who may have difficulty providing an assignment for each service.
Discussed opportunities for arrangements that would reduce unnecessary administrative burden while maintaining appropriate patient consent and Medicare compliance.
Engaged with practice management software providers to better understand how Assignment of Benefit requirements are being incorporated into claiming systems.
Continued to provide information and updates to members as implementation arrangements develop.

Assignment of Benefit information and resources

Note: Certain practice management and invoicing systems may capture evidence of the assignment electronically, including through payment or claiming terminals. Practices should check with their practice management system or claiming provider to confirm how Assignment of Benefit is captured, recorded and retained within their system.