Spinal surgery Medicare Benefits Schedule item changes to exclude use for Vertebral Body Tethering (VBT)

This page provides information on amendments to spinal surgery Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) items commencing 1 March 2024

Page last updated: 13 February 2024

From 1 March 2024, six MBS items for spinal instrumentation (51021 to 51026) and one item for anterior exposure of the spine (51165) will be amended to exclude their use for VBT for the treatment of scoliosis, as recommended by the Medical Services Advisory Committee in November 2021 under application 1656.

These amendments provide clarity on the intent of the items and supports appropriate claiming of the items.

Further information can be found in the factsheet below:

Word Version factsheet for changes excluding use of VBT (Word 125 KB)
PDF Version factsheet for changes excluding use of VBT (PDF 164 KB)

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