Nearly a million Australians who have gone to the doctor have not got their refund from Medicare because their bank details are wrong.
Unclaimed benefits worth $234 million are yet to be handed out because Medicare has nowhere to send the cash.
The amount owed to each person varies, but the average is $240.
Minister for government services Bill Shorten has urged people to check that their bank details are up to date to ensure they get their refund.
“We know Australians are doing it tough, and I want to reunite people with millions in unpaid Medicare benefits before the holidays,” he said.
“It’s quick and easy.
“To claim, check your banking details are recorded and correct with Medicare and once your details are updated, any unpaid benefits will automatically be paid within three days.”
Mr Shorten has encouraged people to go to the myGov website or the myGov app to update their personal information.
Those with a myGov account will also receive a notification from Medicare to tell them they have a refund waiting.
However, there are about 300,000 people who do not have a myGov account and are owed money, making it difficult for the government to get in touch with them.
People can also access further information by visiting servicesaustralia.gov.au/getmedicarebenefits
Young Australians missing out
Of the nearly one million people yet to receive their refund, younger Australians are the largest cohort who have missed out.
Nearly 220,000 people aged between 18 to 24 are owed a total of $49.2 million.
Some 142,300 people aged between 25 and 34 have Medicare benefits owing worth $27.5 million.
The age cohort with the least amount of money owing is those over 75 years of age.
| Age | Unpaid benefits | Eligible recipients |
|---|---|---|
| 17 and under | $17.8 million | 112,200 |
| 18-24 | $49.2 million | 221,500 |
| 25-34 | $25.7 million | 142,300 |
| 35-44 | $25.2 million | 121,200 |
| 45-54 | $35 million | 129,100 |
| 55-64 | $35.5 million | 115,300 |
| 65-74 | $24.3 million | 68,700 |
| 75 and over | $20.8 million | 60,700 |
New South Wales and Victoria have the highest number of people eligible for refunds, which is reflective of their large populations.
Last financial year, Services Australia paid nearly $28 billion in Medicare benefits and about 0.8 per cent of payments were not paid due to having out of date bank details lodged.
All Australians are eligible for Medicare, and people on certain visas, such as temporary protection visas and skilled work regional provisional visas, can also access subsidised healthcare.
| State | Unpaid benefits | Eligible residents |
|---|---|---|
| ACT | $4.3 million | 16,000 |
| NSW | $72.6 million | 284,000 |
| Northern Territory | $1.6 million | 7,800 |
| Queensland | $46 million | 203,100 |
| South Australia | $17.4 million | 76,600 |
| Tasmania | $4.7 million | 21,000 |
| Victoria | $59.7 million | 243,000 |
| Western Australia | $27.2 million | 119,500 |
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