The Department of Human Services has announced changes to its services for Central Coast residents.
From Tuesday 6 October 2015, staff offering Medicare services from the Erina Service Centre within Erina Fair will relocate to the Gosford Service Centre on Watt Street.
Department of Human Services General Manager Hank Jongen said bolstering Medicare services in the existing Gosford Service Centre will provide the local community with access to convenient, coordinated Medicare and Centrelink services under the same roof.
“Central Coast customers who require more intensive or personalised support can continue to access face-to-face Medicare services at the Gosford Service Centre,” Mr Jongen said.
“Moving Medicare services to Gosford reflects the trend of delivering more government services from a single point, while also acknowledging significant changes in the way customers are choosing to claim their Medicare rebate these days.
“There has been a decline in the number of people visiting our service centres largely due to two factors: the move away from cash rebates for Medicare services in 2012, and the growing trend of doctors offering patients the ability to claim their rebate electronically at the surgery.
“Over the past three years, the number of people visiting the Erina Service Centre has reduced by almost half as people now take advantage of claiming their Medicare benefit directly at the doctor’s surgery.
“Nationally, more than 95 per cent of all Medicare claims are now lodged electronically at the point of service, and I urge residents to check whether their doctor offers Medicare rebates over the counter.
“Local residents are also encouraged to check out the range of digital services available through myGov and the department’s range of Express Plus apps, which allow people to do their routine government business where and when it suits them.”
The Gosford Service Centre is located at 9 Watt Street and will open Monday to Friday, from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
