[kiwi33]

Originally Posted by Hopeless

It will be nice to hear from others in various geographical areas if this is being done everywhere.

It has not happened to me in Australia.

All that my GP, psychiatrist, clinical psychologist and chemist/pharmacist have needed to see is my Medicare Card.

Without getting too bogged down in technical detail, all Australian citizens and permanent residents (like me) are entitled to a Medicare Card - it gives them, depending, free/highly subsidised access to health professionals, the public hospital system and prescription medications.

[Kitt]

Yes, that Medicare card and Supplemental Insurance card but - also a picture ID now.

[jprinz99]

This is just seen as a "best practice" in the data collection & data matching part of electronic health records (EHL). Many insurance and provider systems now require this to ensure you are the correct person - this helps avoid treatment errors and fraud. In fact, many states states governing bodies (that oversee such systems) now are requiring photos along with ID.