.
Assignment of Benefit changes: What you need to know
Key takeaway:
You can continue using HICAPS Terminal as normal. It’s already compliant, your workflow remains consistent, and you’re ready for the Assignment of Benefits (AoB) changes from 1 July 2026.
Earlier in 2026, Services Australia announced updates to the AoB process for Medicare bulk bill claims.
These changes are designed to modernise how patient consent is captured, strengthen record-keeping requirements, and support more flexible, digital-first workflows for providers.
For HICAPS customers, the key message is simple: you’re already set up to manage these changes. Your HICAPS Terminal is compliant, and you can continue processing claims as you do today.
What is AoB?
AoB is the process where a patient agrees to assign their Medicare benefit to you as the Health Professional, allowing you to receive the payment directly.
In a bulk billing scenario, this agreement confirms that the patient transfers their entitlement in exchange for receiving the service with no out-of-pocket cost.
What’s changing for Assignment of Benefit (AoB)?
Services Australia has introduced several updates to how AoB is captured, recorded and reflected in your practice workflows.
HICAPS is rolling out terminal software updates to support providers in meeting their obligations for AoB. As part of this, you’ll start to see a new receipt format on your terminal from 1 July and a new screen within the Medicare bulk bill claiming workflow.
We’re also making changes to HICAPS Digital to support the updated AoB requirements. Relevant notifications will be provided directly in HICAPS Digital as updates become available.
Greater flexibility in how consent is captured
You are no longer required to use a prescribed AoB form. Instead, you can use your own format, as long as it includes all required information.
Practitioner signatures are also no longer required for AoB agreements.
However, one thing remains essential: clear patient consent must still be obtained and recorded for every bulk billed service.
Stronger record-keeping requirements
Practices must retain AoB records for at least two years and provide a copy to patients if requested.
This ensures you can demonstrate that valid consent and assignment have been captured if required.
Updates to receipts and claim information
Bulk bill receipts will include additional fields such as:
Assignment date
Assignor indicator
Agreement type
What this means for you
HICAPS terminals are already compliant with the updated AoB requirements, so you can continue processing Medicare bulk bill claims as you do today.
To support these changes, HICAPS has introduced enhancements to the Medicare bulk bill claiming workflow, including:
A new screen to capture additional AoB data
Updated receipt formatting aligned to Services Australia guidelines
Adjustments to terminology on receipts
These updates ensure that patient declaration and assignment details are captured correctly within your existing workflow.
What you need to do
For all HICAPS customers, no immediate action is required.
You can continue processing claims without interruption.
There are, however, a few simple steps to keep your practice aligned with the new requirements:
1. Ensure patient consent is clearly captured
Confirm your team understands what constitutes valid consent and how it should be recorded.
2. Review your record-keeping processes
Ensure AoB records are stored securely, easily accessible, and retained for the required timeframe.
3. Stay familiar with workflow updates
Be aware of any new screens or prompts on your HICAPS Terminal and ensure all required information is completed during the claiming process.
4. Keep your terminal powered on
Terminal updates will be rolled out during scheduled maintenance windows. Keeping your terminal powered on and out of sight overnight will ensure updates are applied automatically and your terminal is safe.
What’s next
HICAPS will continue rolling out enhancements to support the updated AoB requirements while keeping your claiming experience simple and consistent.
These updates are designed to align with Services Australia guidelines while maintaining a familiar workflow for your practice.
Over time, you may see further improvements that support digital consent capture and streamline compliance requirements.
Supporting your practice
These changes are part of a broader shift towards more flexible, digital-first processes in Medicare bulk bill claiming, making it easier to capture consent, manage records and maintain compliance.
With HICAPS, you already have the tools in place to meet these requirements.
If you’d like more information or support for Medicare, you can visit the HICAPS Support Hub.
Visit the Australian Government for more information