Ensuring Appropriate Use of Neurosurgery and Neurology Services

Changes to Neurosurgery and Neurology

Page last updated: 24 March 2021

On 1 November 2020, the Australian Government made changes to Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) items for neurosurgery and neurology services that support the delivery of best practice care for patients. These changes promote high-value use of electroencephalogram, nerve conduction studies, electromyography and central nervous system evoked responses.

A range of other changes were made to simplify the MBS by consolidating neurosurgical services that are commonly done together, into a single Medicare item. The patient rebates for a small number of complex brain surgery items were increased to better reflect the complexity of the services.
These changes are relevant to all specialists involved in the management of neurosurgery and neurology services, consumers claiming these services and private health insurers.

Factsheets - Neurosurgery and Neurology


Neurosurgery and Neurology Factsheet (Last updated 7 October 2020)
PDF version Neurosurgery and Neurology Factsheet (PDF 214 KB)
Word version Neurosurgery and Neurology Factsheet (DOCX 95 KB)


Flow Chart for Consolidated Items

Last Updated 16 November 2020
PDF version Flow chart for consolidated items (PDF 546 KB)


Neurosurgery and Neurology Quick Reference Guides

Neurology Services - last updated 04 January 2021
PDF version Neurology Quick Reference Guide (PDF 275 KB)
Word version Neurology Quick Reference Guide (Word 98 KB)
Neurosurgery Services - last updated 27 October 2020
PDF version Neurosurgery Quick Reference Guide (PDF 367 KB)
Word version Neurosurgery Quick Reference Guide (Word 118 KB)

Webinar on Changes to Neurosurgery and Neurology Services from 22 September 2020

Note: Post webinar amendments have been made to the Private Hospital Insurance summary. Please refer to the PDF presentation for updated information.
View Link to watch Webinar on changes to neurosurgery and neurology services – 1 November 2020
Download Webinar on changes to neurosurgery and neurology services – 1 November 2020
PDF version Webinar on changes to neurosurgery and neurology services – 1 November 2020 (PDF 3814 KB)


Advance Notification - Neurosurgery and Neurology

Last updated 29 July 2020.
PDF version Neurosurgery and Neurology Advance Notification (PDF 175 KB)
Word version Neurosurgery and Neurology Advance Notification (DOCX 104 KB)


In this section