LAST Wednesday saw Federal Member for Paterson, Bob Baldwin launch Medicare Australia's Online Services and Tea Gardens' Medicare Australia Access Point at the local Community Technology Centre (CTC).
Mr Baldwin commented that he couldn't think of a better place than the Tea Gardens CTC for the national launch of these new online services.
"This centre provides a vital service for Tea Gardens community members who want to learn about and use computer services," he said.
"As part of the Coalition Government's campaign to make assistance more accessible for all Australians, people who need a replacement Medicare card or want to update their personal details such as their address will be able to do so without filling in a single form," explained Mr Baldwin. From July 1 this year, all eligible people will be able to simply call Medicare or use the new online facilities to access these services.
"This will mean Australians need to complete three million less forms each year."
The establishment of the new Medicare Australia Access Point at the CTC will mean that locals will be able to use the facilities to conduct their Medicare business without travelling to Raymond Terrace.
Mr Baldwin believes the new access point and these new online services are just one way the Coalition Government, through the Department of Human Services, is giving busy Australian families more time to do the things they like rather than standing in office queues.
"The new online services offer all Australians the extra convenience of doing business with Medicare Australia 24 hours a day, seven days a week without coming into a Medicare office."
The Medicare Access Point gives you the convenience of being able to speak directly with a Medicare person and lodge your claim for the speedy return of your refund.
President of the CTC, Roger Seymour is excited about the new venture and believes the biggest part of the Community Technology Centre is the word 'community'. "It is through the help of our fantastic staff and volunteers that we are able to assist the community with services like the Medicare Access Point, as well as provide other services such as Tax Help, assisting with Seniors Week and Work for the Dole," he said.
The Medicare Access Point has been at the CTC for around two weeks and already people are taking advantage of this great service.
"Within one hour on the day the equipment had arrived and been set up someone had used the service," said Mr Seymour.
The launch of these online services complements a new electronic Medicare claiming initiative that was recently announced by Prime Minister John Howard.
Electronic Medicare claiming lets Australians lodge Medicare claims and receive rebates through EFTPOS at their doctor's practice.
After paying their doctor's account, patients will be able to swipe their Medicare card and bankcards at the doctor's practice.
The claim will be automatically assessed by Medicare and the rebate will be paid into the patient's account within 24 hours.
Electronic Medicare claiming should be available from the second half of 2007.
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