Digital Medicare Card: Who Qualifies and What You Get
Learn how to access your Medicare details on your smartphone and understand when you might still need your physical card.
The Digital Medicare Card allows you to access your official health identification and status directly on your smartphone.
Who it's for
This digital service is available to anyone who is already an official Medicare card holder in Australia. If you currently hold a physical Medicare card issued by the government, you are eligible to use the digital version on your mobile device.
What you get
By using this service, you get a digital version of your Medicare card that lives on your phone. This provides you with a quick way to show proof of your identity and your current health status when you are visiting a doctor or a medical professional. It is designed to make managing your health information easier by removing the need to carry a separate plastic card in your wallet at all times.
What it costs you
There is no fee to set up or use the digital version of your card. You can access this service for free by using the Express Plus Medicare app on your mobile phone.
The catch to know
While the digital card is highly convenient for many situations, there is one important limitation to keep in mind. Some older pharmacy systems may not be equipped to process digital identification. Because of this technical limitation, it is wise to keep your physical plastic card with you to ensure you do not run into issues when filling prescriptions at certain locations.
How to apply
- Download the Express Plus Medicare app onto your smartphone.
- Log in to the app using your existing credentials.
- Follow the on-screen prompts to view and save your digital card.