[Guides](/guides) Assignment of benefit for bulk billing: the changes from 1 July 2026 ==================================================================== Updated 28 October 2026 From **1 July 2026**, the way patients assign their Medicare benefit to you when you bulk bill changed across every healthcare setting. There is no longer an approved form; the patient can agree on paper or electronically, before or after the service; and only the patient signs. Until **30 June 2027**, a recorded verbal agreement is also accepted while practices move to the new process. What changed on 1 July 2026 --------------------------- BeforeFrom 1 July 2026An approved assignment of benefit form (such as the DB4)Any agreement that records the information the Regulations requireAssignment after the serviceBefore or after the servicePatient and practitioner signedOnly the patient (or responsible person) signs, physically or electronically“Patient unable to sign” notationNo longer acceptable The agreement must record **seven points of information** set out in the Health Insurance Regulations, and you must keep it for **2 years** from the date of the claim. Give the patient a copy if they ask. On an EFTPOS terminal using Medicare Easyclaim, the patient can agree by pressing **OK** or **YES**. Three kinds of agreement ------------------------ - **Pre-assignment:** made before the service. - **Post-assignment:** made after the service. - **Enduring:** covers ongoing GP services for patients registered in MyMedicare, residents of aged care homes, and patients of Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services or Aboriginal Medical Services. For MyMedicare enduring agreements, tell the patient in writing within 24 hours of each claim. Agreements are made per practitioner. The transition period: until 30 June 2027 ----------------------------------------- - **Verbal agreement** is allowed for any bulk-billed service. You still need to record it and keep the record for 2 years. On a Services Australia form, type “assignor verbally agreed” in the signature field. - **Enduring agreements** made before 1 July 2027 must be registered with Services Australia within 12 months to stay valid. Enduring agreements made verbally end automatically on 1 July 2027. - **Pathology requests** issued up to 12 months before 1 July 2026 with an assignment remain valid until 1 July 2027. Services Australia and the Department of Health say compliance will focus on education and prevention during the transition. What doesn’t change ------------------- The rules don’t apply to Department of Veterans’ Affairs services or the Child Dental Benefits Schedule. Simplified billing through insurers and billing agents keeps its own arrangements. Bulk billing still means accepting the Medicare benefit as full payment, with no extra charges to the patient for that service. Frequently asked questions -------------------------- ### Do I still need a DB4 form to bulk bill? No. From 1 July 2026 an approved form is no longer required. Any paper or electronic agreement that records the information set out in the Health Insurance Regulations can be used, signed by the patient. ### Does the doctor need to sign the assignment of benefit? No. From 1 July 2026 practitioners no longer sign. The patient or their responsible person signs, physically or electronically, and the signature must be identifiable and auditable. ### Can a patient agree to bulk billing verbally? Yes, until 30 June 2027. During the 12-month transition, a verbal agreement is accepted for any bulk-billed service, as long as you record it and keep the record for 2 years. ### How long must I keep assignment of benefit agreements? For 2 years from the date the claim is made. You must give the patient a copy if they ask for one. ### What is an enduring assignment of benefit agreement? An agreement that covers ongoing GP services, rather than one service, for patients registered in MyMedicare, aged care residents, and patients of Aboriginal community controlled or Aboriginal medical services. Enduring agreements made before 1 July 2027 must be registered with Services Australia within 12 months. More guides ----------- - [How Medicare benefits work: schedule fees, 75%, 85% and 100%](/guides/how-medicare-benefits-work) - [Medicare safety nets explained: original and extended (EMSN) thresholds for 2026](/guides/medicare-safety-nets) - [In-hospital billing: the 75% benefit, the 25% fund benefit, and no-gap and known-gap schemes](/guides/in-hospital-billing-and-gap-cover) - [Bulk billing incentives and BBPIP explained: 2026 amounts by MM area](/guides/bulk-billing-incentives) - [The MBS multiple operation rule and surgical assistant fees](/guides/multiple-operation-rule) - [MBS telehealth rules: the eligible telehealth practitioner and phone items](/guides/mbs-telehealth-rules) - [GP chronic condition management plans: items 965 and 967 explained](/guides/chronic-condition-management-plans) - [Medicare billing compliance: claim time limits, records and the 80/20 rule](/guides/medicare-billing-compliance) General information for health professionals, not legal or financial advice. Check MBS Online and Services Australia for the rules that apply to your circumstances.