Extension of temporary Pathology items for SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) and other respiratory pathogens

The Australian Government has extended the existing temporary Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) pathology items for pathology laboratory testing for SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) and other respiratory pathogens from 1 January 2024 until 30 June 2024.

The only change to the existing temporary MBS items is that they will be amended to allow public pathology providers to receive the same reimbursement as private providers, in line with other MBS pathology items.

In practice, the fee parity will be achieved by ceasing the items for public providers (items 69506 – 69510) and amending the items for private providers (69511 – 69515) such that they may be claimed by any pathology provider.

All other existing requirements of the current MBS items will remain in place, including that out-of-hospital patients must be bulk-billed, and that these services apply where a medical or nurse practitioner determines the test is necessary for the clinical management of their patient.

The extension will also provide time in early 2024 for the Government to consider the finalised advice of MSAC concerning appropriate permanent MBS arrangements for COVID-19 testing. MSAC considered this under MSAC Application 1747 and published its finalised advice to the Minister for Health and Aged Care in October 2023.

Further information can be found in the Factsheet below:

PDF Version Factsheet - Extension of temporary Pathology items for SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) and other respiratory pathogens to 30 June 2024 (PDF 185 KB)

Word Version Factsheet - Extension of temporary Pathology items for SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) and other respiratory pathogens to 30 June 2024 (Word 133 KB)