Pracsoft Updates

26 June, 2026

For GPs and Practice Managers.

This page is accurate as at 26 June we will regularly update this page as and when new information becomes available.  

What to do and when 

When	What	Version
Right now	Nothing. Your existing bulk billing workflow works. Verbal consent (“are you happy to be bulk billed?”) is legally sufficient for 12 months from 1 July 2026. No penalties, no audits.	v4.2+
Upgrade to v4.4	Get the updated DB4 – Post Assignment form that meets the new data set. Same workflow — the compliant form prints automatically.	v4.4 (releasing now)
Later in 2026	New AoB report, digital consent capture, partner acknowledgements, and enduring AoB support.	v4.5 (planned)
Before 1 July 2027	Adopt a consistent digital consent workflow using Pracsoft and/or our partners.	Ongoing

If you Tyro, you are already fully covered. No action required. 

What’s changing 

The Health Insurance Amendment Regulations 2025 update how patient consent for bulk billing is captured. The old DB4 form is replaced by a new “DB4 – Post Assignment” agreement with additional required fields. 

On 18 June 2026, the government announced key modifications (RACGP summary): 

• Verbal consent is sufficient for 12 months from 1 July 2026, alongside the requirement to keep the documented agreement for two years (based on current Government guidance as at the date of this newsletter). 

• Compliance enforcement will not begin until regulatory changes are complete — starting with education, not penalties. 

• Enduring AoB (ongoing consent across visits) is available from 1 July for MyMedicare patients, aged care residents, and ACCHO patients. Government is still confirming how this is recorded in software. 

How Pracsoft meets each requirement 

1. Capturing consent — Post-assignment 

What the legislation requires: An agreement containing patient name, Medicare number, provider details, service date, MBS item(s), agreement date, agreement type, whether the assignor is the patient, and an updated privacy notice. 

In Pracsoft v4.4: The printed DB4 form now includes all required fields: 

Field	Change
Title	“DB4” → “DB4 – Post Assignment”
Document type	“FORM” → “AGREEMENT”
Legal reference	Updated to Health Insurance Regulations 2018
New fields	Agreement Date, Agreement Type, Is assignor the patient? (Yes/No)
Signature label	→ “Patient or Assignor Signature”
Privacy notice	Updated (references Privacy Act 1988)
Removed	LSPN Number

The workflow is unchanged: Waiting Room → right-click → Record Visit → Bulk Bill → Voucher to print. 

During the grace period, you do not need to print the form. Verbal consent is enough. 

2. Capturing consent — Pre-assignment 

What the legislation requires: A separate agreement where the patient consents by service group (e.g., “general consult”) before the consultation. 

In Pracsoft: Pre-assignment is handled by our partners during the booking flow — see below. Pracsoft does not have a direct patient-facing channel. Throughout the next twelve months, Pracsoft will make updates to receive and store a date/time-stamped acknowledgement from partners confirming pre-assignment was captured. 

What our partners are doing 

Before making changes in Pracsoft, check what your practice already uses. If a partner captures AoB, there is no need to capture it again. 

Partner	What they handle	Action needed in Pracsoft?
Hotdoc	Full pre-assignment consent during online booking. Patient selects visit type and consents. This is automatic — not optional.  Click here for more details	None. In v4.5, Pracsoft will store Hotdoc’s acknowledgement. If audited, direct the auditor to Hotdoc.
Tyro	Longstanding exemption continues beyond 1 July. Patient pressing the green button = consent. Tyro keeps a digital record. Click here for more details	None. Nothing changes.
AutoMed	Developing AoB workflow with MedicalDirector.	Details coming in v4.5.
HealthEngine	AoB support in development.  Click here for more details	Details coming.
Cubiko	Reporting platform to assist practices in optimising their ways of working. Click here for more details	Details coming.

 

3. Reports and record-keeping 

What the legislation requires: Keep AoB records for 2 years. Provide a copy to the patient on request. 

Today (v4.2+): Use the existing Fees Detail – Bulk Claim Fees report. Keep printed DB4 forms on file. 

In v4.5: A new Assignment of Benefit Bulk Claim Details report adds dedicated columns — Agreement Date, Agreement Type, and Assignor — filterable by patient, practitioner, and date range. 

4. Enduring AoB 

What the legislation provides for: Ongoing consent across multiple visits for MyMedicare patients, aged care residents, and ACCHO patients. Government has not yet published how this is recorded in software. 

In v4.5: We are investigating how to support capturing and recording enduring consent. 

This document is a general overview based on publicly available government materials and current product plans as at 25 June 2026. It does not constitute legal or professional advice. Refer to RACGP guidance and Services Australia for further information.