Changes to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) that come into effect today could save people with chronic health conditions a lot of time and money.

Before today, people could only collect a month's supply of their medication from their pharmacy on one prescription. 

But now they'll be able to collect two months' worth of selected PBS-listed medication at once. 

Let's unpack how that's going to make a difference.

What's changing?

Eligible people living with a chronic condition will be able to pick up 60 days’ supply of selected PBS-listed medicines instead of 30. 

This is going to happen in stages so, for now, it only applies to nearly 100 medications. 

By this time next year, more than 300 medications will be on the scheme.

That's roughly a third of all medications listed on the PBS. 

So can I get double medication today?

Not unless your doctor's given you a new prescription allowing you to get two months' supply at once. 

And that comes down to your doctor's professional clinical judgement.

So you'll need to get a new script before you can benefit from this. 

And, of course, that's only if your medication is on the 60-day supply list.

How does this save me money?

Because of the price caps on PBS medications.

They limit how much you pay each time you get your script filled for that particular medication.

• If you're on Medicare, the most you'll pay is $30
• If you're a Concession Card holder, the most you'll pay is $7.50

Under the new changes, you may be getting more medication, but you're only putting in one script.

And because the price cap only applies to the script — not the amount of medication — that means you may end up paying less.

So if you're on Medicare and your usual month's supply of medication costs you $30, you'll pay the same amount for two months' supply. 

But if your medication usually costs $25 for a month's supply, you'll only pay an extra $5 for the second month's supply. 

It'll also mean fewer trips to the doctor to get those scripts renewed. 

And not only could that save you on doctor's fees, it means less travel — this can really add up for people who have mobility issues, can't drive or live a long way from their nearest pharmacy.

How do I check if my medication is on the 60-day list?

You can check it online, by opening this PBS document online. 

Then search the document for the medicine name or brand.

You can do this on a desktop computer by pressing 'Ctrl' key (for Windows) or 'Command' key (for Mac) key while pressing the 'F' button and type what you're looking for in the box that pops up. 

You can also do it on your smartphone, but the method depends on what type of phone you have. 

On an Android, you can find it by opening the document, hitting the 'menu' icon (which usually looks like a vertical line of three dots) and then selecting the 'Find in page' feature. 

On an iPhone, you can find it by hitting the 'share' icon (which looks like a square with an arrow pointing up), dragging up the screen until you see the 'Find on page' button.

How do I know if I've got Medicare cover?

Medicare is Australia's universal health scheme, which covers all Australians and some overseas visitors.

Here's who's eligible: 

• an Australian or New Zealand citizen
• an Australian permanent resident
• anyone who has applied for permanent residency (some conditions apply)
• a temporary resident covered by a ministerial order
• a citizen or permanent resident of Norfolk Island, Cocos Islands, Christmas Island or Lord Howe Island

You need to enrol in Medicare to be covered — and to get your light green Medicare card. 

Here's the online portal for enrolling in Medicare and here's the online portal to use if you're visiting from a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement country.