diff --git a/booking.regn_form.inc b/booking.regn_form.inc
index 71dabd7..f01c021 100644
--- a/booking.regn_form.inc
+++ b/booking.regn_form.inc
@@ -558,14 +558,16 @@ function booking_form($node, &$form_state, $inserting = FALSE)
     '#title' => 'Emergency Contact Details',
     '#description' => 'Please enter contact details for use in case of emergency'
   );
+  
   if (variable_get('booking_enable_medicare', 1) == 1) {
+    $medicare_required_check = (variable_get('booking_enforce_medicare_verification', 1) == 1) && $inserting;
     $form['emergency']['booking_medicare'] = array(
       '#type' => 'textfield',
       '#title' => t('Your Medicare Number'),
       '#maxlength' => 15,
       '#size' => 15,
       //'#required' => FALSE,
-      '#required' => variable_get('booking_enforce_medicare_verification', 1) == 1 ? TRUE : FALSE,
+      '#required' => $medicare_required_check,
       '#default_value' => empty($data->booking_medicare) ? '' : $data->booking_medicare
     );
   }