Modernising gap-only billing – replacing Medicare cheques with electronic benefit payments

Overview

Modernising gap-only billing – replacing Medicare cheques with electronic benefit payments

In the 2025-26 Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook the Australian Government announced that government cheques will cease by 1 July 2028, including Medicare benefit cheque payments under Pay Doctor Via Claimant (PDVC) billing arrangements.

Reference www.Budget.gov.au and search for ‘Appendix A: Policy decisions taken since the 2025 PEFO’ on page 290.

Gap-only billing assists with medical service affordability where bulk billing is not offered.

The government is seeking your views about modernised gap-only billing arrangements for high cost Medicare services.