Medibank membership cards go digital to help cut plastic waste

Medibank has announced it will begin phasing out physical plastic membership cards in favour of digital membership cards, in response to changing customer behaviour and as part of its ongoing commitment to sustainability.

The shift to digital cards is expected to save over one million plastic cards by 2030.

By reducing the need for plastic cards, Medibank aims to minimise waste and lower its carbon footprint by cutting down on the energy and resources required for card production and distribution.

Physical membership cards will continue to remain an option for customers who prefer them and retain their accessibility features to support independent use for customers who are blind or have low vision.

The change is also expected to improve the customer experience by allowing customers to claim on the first day of their membership, enabling faster reimbursement and quicker access to funds.

By encouraging more customers to use a digital membership card, they will be able to claim from day one of their membership, rather than wait 3-10 business days for their physical card to be delivered.

Medibank Chief Customer Officer Milosh Milisavljevic said this helps improve the customer experience while helping the environment.

“We’re seeing more and more customers use their digital cards these days, rather than use their physical cards. We’ve made this conscious decision to have digital cards as the default option when customers sign up to Medibank, rather than send them a physical card, which we’re seeing not being used,” Mr Milisavljevic said.

“By reducing the use of plastic membership cards, we're taking a meaningful step toward a more sustainable future.”

Digital cards will be available via the My Medibank app, which is open to all customers aged 16 and above.

Customers can view, download or store their card on their devices at any time, making access easier and more convenient.