From 1 July 2026, updated government legislation will change how Assignment of Benefit (AoB) is handled for Medicare (Bulk Bill) and Inpatient Medical Claims (IMC - Agreement or Scheme). We want to let you know ahead of time what this means, and reassure you that MediRecords will be ready.
You can also read about these changes on our website, or see how they work within the application in Assignment of Benefit Workflow.
📌 Important update - 18 June 2026
The Federal Government has announced significant modifications to the new AoB process ahead of the 1 July 2026 commencement date. Key changes include a 12-month verbal consent option, the early introduction of Enduring Assignment for eligible patients, and a transition period focused on education rather than enforcement. Details are reflected throughout this article. The MediRecords workflow remains unchanged and we are going live with our updates on 1 July as planned.
Verbal consent doesn't remove your record-keeping obligations.
From 1 July, verbal consent may be accepted for Assignment of Benefit. However, the legislative requirement to retain a completed Assignment of Benefit agreement for two years and provide a copy to the patient upon request still applies.
Until MediRecords implements a dedicated verbal consent workflow (planned before the end of July), the safest approach is to print the standard Assignment of Benefit form (formerly the DB4), complete the required details (including whether the assignor is the patient), and record "Verbally consented" in the signature field, along with the date consent was obtained. The completed form can then be uploaded and stored in the patient's Consent tab.
A note in the clinical record alone, or relying on undocumented verbal consent or staff recollection, may not be sufficient to demonstrate compliance. It may also leave you unable to provide the patient with a copy of the completed Assignment of Benefit agreement if requested.
During this transition period, maintaining a completed Assignment of Benefit form is the simplest way to help ensure you're meeting your legislative obligations until the MediRecords verbal consent workflow is available.
Contents:
- What is Assignment of Benefit?
- What's Changing?
- How MediRecords will Support You
- You're in Good Hands
ℹ️ Note: Already familiar with the workflow and the changes? Visit our Assignment of Benefit: Frequently Asked Questions article for answers to any outstanding questions.
What is Assignment of Benefit?
Assignment of Benefit is the process by which a patient formally assigns their Medicare or insurance benefit to your organisation, allowing you to receive payment directly from Medicare (for Bulk Bill) or the relevant funder (for inpatient claims).
It is a legal requirement, and patient consent must be properly obtained and recorded before a claim can be submitted.
What's Changing?
The updated legislation introduces a digital signature component to post-assignment models for Bulk Bill Medicare claims, and the requirement to keep a signed copy of consent for two years.
In practice, this means the way consent is captured, recorded, and tied to invoice submission is becoming more structured, with clearer requirements around when and how Assignment of Benefit must be confirmed before a claim can proceed.
Following feedback from the profession, the government has also announced a 12-month transition period beginning 1 July 2026. During this period, compliance activity will focus on prevention and education rather than enforcement, and the government has committed to working with the profession to further reduce administrative burden while maintaining the integrity of Medicare.
How MediRecords will Support You
We have built the updated AoB requirements directly into your existing invoicing workflow, so the process will feel familiar.
Bulk Bill Claims
For Bulk Bill claims, you will be able to capture patient consent in whichever way suits your practice.
- If the patient is with you in person, you can print the AoB form, have them sign it, and mark it as received on the invoice.
- If the patient is not present, you can send them a secure link by SMS and their approval will automatically update the invoice for you.
- If the patient provides verbal consent, this is accepted for all services for a 12-month period from 1 July 2026. MediRecords will introduce a more streamlined way to record verbal consent. In the meantime, we will provide guidance on how to record it using the tools available at launch.
ℹ️ Note: MediRecords will prevent a claim from being submitted until consent has been properly recorded, keeping your practice compliant without adding extra steps.
Inpatient Claims (IMC)
For inpatient claims, the process is similarly straightforward. When creating an IMC invoice, you will simply select the AoB pathway that reflects how consent was obtained at your site. That selection is then included as part of the claim.
It is worth knowing that if any key details on an invoice change after consent has been captured, such as the service date, item numbers, or provider, MediRecords will require you to obtain a fresh approval before submission. This is a legal requirement, and the system is designed to prompt you at the right moment so nothing is missed.
📌 Important: Your financial reports will not be affected by any of these changes.
You're in Good Hands
MediRecords will be updated ahead of the 1 July 2026 changes, so when the date arrives, the tools you need will already be in place. We will follow up with detailed guidance on how to use the updated features before the release.
In the meantime, if you have any questions, please reach out to our support team.
Further Reading
🎓 Need more help?
Our Training Services team offers onboarding, refresher sessions, and tailored training for your practice. Learn more about Training Services.
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