The Senate is preparing to vote on laws that would cut the time limit for lodging bulk-billed claims from two years after the service took place to 12 months.

The change, flagged in last year’s federal budget, would save the health budget $34 million over four years by reducing incorrect or fraudulent Medicare claims, according to health officials.

The legislation finally passed the House of Representatives in February, and with a federal election now destined for May, the government has a chance to finalise the laws during March’s three-day sitting of both houses.

The RACGP has backed this change.