THE Medicare office in Byron Street will close later this month with Medicare moving into the Centrelink office in Otho Street.
The overhaul to the way health rebates and welfare payments are delivered across the country has been taking place for the last two years.
The Federal Government has been establishing ‘one stop shops’ to incorporate Medicare, Centrelink, the Child Support Agency and disability service organisation, CRS Australia, under the one roof (usually the Centrelink building), along with new electronic payment options.
The changes were announced by then Human Services Minister, Chris Bowen, in December, 2009. Now it is Inverell’s turn.
From February 27 Medicare will be located in the Centrelink building at 158 Otho Street, joining more than 100 other Australian communities that already have co-located offices.
But the planned change has already caused some concern in some sections of the community.
Inverell Chamber of Commerce spokesman, Anthony Michael, has said he was very disappointed.
“Medicare are being relocated to Centrelink office and are turning into a cashless office, that means that the Inverell community can no longer receive cash when claiming at Medicare,” Mr Michael said.
“I contacted the regional office that informed me that Gunnedah is closing on February 6 and Inverell on February 27, also Inverell will start using the combination of cash and new (refund) system from the office on the February 6.
“After February 27 if you want to claim from Medicare you will have to line up at Centrelink to put a claim in and then the funds will be credited to your bank account, I’m concerned that some families struggle to survive with the day to day living and live from week to week pays and a delay with cheque coming or payment into their accounts could cause hardship,” Mr Michael said.
The Chamber is disappointed that the office is closing in the main street and Mr Michael said it is unhappy the office is combining with Centrelink and going cashless and that the department had not informed the local community.
Minister for Human Services, Brendan O'Connor, said Medicare customers will be able to have their benefits paid straight into their bank accounts, which is safer and faster, and gives staff more time to spend with customers.
“The new electronic payment options being offered in Inverell will give customers more choice about how they receive Medicare benefits,” Mr O’Connor said.
“Staff can offer alternatives, however, if people don’t want their benefit paid by credit EFTPOS.
“The Government has been successfully offering electronic payment options to customers in several Medicare offices for a number of years, and Inverell is one of 20 communities around Australia which will be offered these options this year,” Mr O’Connor said.
Local Inverell customers are encouraged to discuss payment options with staff.
Only eight per cent of Medicare benefits were paid in cash in 2010-11, and fewer than four per cent were paid by cheque.
Almost 250 million Medicare services were claimed electronically in 2010-11.
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