Smarter, faster, safer Medicare payments

Australians will benefit from safer and faster payments with the roll-out of electronic Medicare benefits.

All Medicare benefits will now be paid straight into a bank account - either by EFT transfer or by simply swiping your debit card at a Service Centre - at no extra cost. And there are no extra bank fees.

Minister for Human Services Senator Kim Carr said today the benefits seen in trial sites would soon be available nationally - rolling out to some sites from as early as July 1.

"This technology has been available in some offices for a number of years, and there have been more trials in recent months," Senator Carr said.

"As well as giving people better options for claiming their money, electronic payment methods are faster to process and more secure."

Medicare is the only Australian Government program to still manage large volumes of cash.

"Only 8 per cent of payments were processed using cash last financial year, and just 4 per cent using cheques," Senator Carr said.

"This move will improve security and safety for customers and staff. It also means a move away from high counters and security glass in service centres.

"People will still have options - especially those who need extra help, or don't have a bank account. If people don't want money paid directly to their bank, staff will offer alternatives such as cheque or depositing benefits into a nominated friend or family members' account."

Almost 320 million Medicare services were claimed electronically in 2010-11 with more than 80 per cent of all services undertaken electronically, either at the doctor, through EFT transfers or claiming Medicare benefits online.