Fellowed GPs must update their Ahpra registration to prevent loss of access to Medicare benefits

The Australian Government made amendments to legislation in 2020 that changes how GPs access Medicare. GPs no longer access higher Medicare rebates by registering their Fellowship status with Services Australia. Your Medicare access will now be linked to your registration status with Ahpra and the Medical Board.

All Fellows who do not hold specialist registration with Ahpra at 16 June 2021 will lose access to Medicare benefits. To avoid this, you must apply to Ahpra to update your registration by 21 May 2021 to ensure your application is processed by Ahpra and Services Australia.

From 16 June 2021, being a Fellow and holding general registration with Ahpra is not enough to maintain your Medicare access. Access to the general practice items in the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) will be based on your specialist registration status with the Ahpra.

If you are not sure if you have previously registered as a specialist it is easy to check.

1. Go to the Ahpra website by clicking here.

2. Type in your name or registration number and click 'Search'

3. Scroll until you find your details and click 'View Details'

4. Scroll down the page to 'Registration Type'

5. If you are a registered as a specialist you will see Type:  Specialist registration and Specialty: General Practice