You do need a medicare number for him. But you don't have to wait for the card to arrive as they'll give you a print out to use in the meantime.
As for claims - I think my baby bonus took a few months to start! Everytime I called there was another problem. I remember one of the things they said to me was "How long have you been living in Ocean Grove?" but I have never lived there! Or I'd call & it was being processed, only when I called again the next week it had been canceled before the last phone call. It was extremely frustrating so I understand how you feel.