MyMedicare explained: what it is and whether you should register

If you have visited Toongabbie Doctors recently you may have seen the MyMedicare signs at reception, or been asked whether you would like to register. MyMedicare is an Australian Government program introduced to strengthen the relationship between patients and their regular practice. It is free and voluntary, and it does not change your Medicare card or your entitlements.

What MyMedicare is

MyMedicare is a voluntary patient registration system. You nominate one general practice as your regular practice and one GP as your preferred doctor. Registration tells Medicare that this is where your ongoing care happens, which allows the practice to access additional funding and services designed for continuity of care.

Why continuity of care matters

Research consistently shows that people who see the same GP or practice over time have better health outcomes: fewer hospital admissions, better management of chronic conditions and more preventive care such as screening and immunisation. A doctor who knows your history, your family and your circumstances can spot changes earlier and make better decisions with you. MyMedicare is a way of making that relationship formal.

What you get as a registered patient

• Longer Medicare-funded telehealth consultations with your registered practice
• Access to Medicare-funded telehealth for longer phone consultations that are not otherwise available
• Priority access to the care programs attached to MyMedicare, including support for frequent hospital users and residents of aged care
• A practice that receives funding to coordinate your care, particularly if you live with chronic or complex conditions

MyMedicare is being expanded over time, and registered patients are first in line for new features as they are introduced.

Who can register

Anyone with a Medicare card or a DVA card can register, provided they have had at least two face-to-face visits with the practice in the previous 24 months. Parents can register children under 14. Patients who are new to the practice can register after their second visit.

How to register with Toongabbie Doctors

There are three ways. You can complete the registration form through our HotDoc link, which takes about two minutes and asks for your Medicare details. You can register through your myGov account, linked to Medicare, by searching for Toongabbie Doctors. Or you can ask at reception and our team will help you complete a paper form. Once submitted, the practice accepts the registration and you will receive confirmation.

Does it cost anything?

No. MyMedicare is free, and there is no charge from the practice for registering. Your appointments continue to be bulk billed as usual.

MyMedicare and chronic disease care

From 2025 the government has begun linking chronic disease funding to MyMedicare registration. Over time, GP management plans and related chronic disease items will be tied to the practice you are registered with, and practices will receive additional funding to coordinate care for registered patients with complex needs. If you live with a long-term condition, registering now means you are already in place as those changes roll out.

What information is shared

Registration records your name, Medicare number, date of birth and contact details, the practice you have chosen and your preferred GP. It does not give the government or anyone else access to your clinical notes. Your health record stays with the practice and is protected under the Privacy Act and NSW health privacy law, exactly as it is now.

MyMedicare and My Health Record: what is the difference?

They are often confused. My Health Record is an online summary of your health information, such as medicines, allergies and hospital discharge summaries, that you and your treating clinicians can view. MyMedicare is a registration that identifies your regular practice. You can have one, both or neither, and they do not depend on each other.

Registering children and family members

A parent or guardian can register a child under 14 with the same practice. Teenagers aged 14 and over register themselves, and adults register individually, although a carer with appropriate authority can help. If your family sees different GPs at Toongabbie Doctors, each person can nominate their own preferred doctor.

Should you register?

If you think of Toongabbie Doctors as your regular clinic, registering simply makes that official and gives you access to the benefits above. If you are still deciding on a regular GP, there is no rush; you can register whenever you are ready.