From 1 October 2022, ten new temporary Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) pathology items will be introduced for pathology laboratory testing for SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) and other respiratory pathogens.

The new temporary MBS items:

• Apply where a medical or nurse practitioner determines the test is necessary for the clinical management of their patient.
• Supersede MBS items 69479 and 69480 which cease on 30 September 2022.
• Will cease on 31 December 2022, with future arrangements to be informed by ongoing community transmission of COVID-19 and the advice of public health officials and the pathology sector.

The new temporary MBS items support testing for COVID-19 and other respiratory pathogens through a single sample and test (when requested by a treating practitioner) which better reflects modern clinical practice and the claiming of MBS services through a single item.

Existing generic nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) MBS items 69494, 69495 and 69496 will remain in place to support testing for non-respiratory pathogens and testing of respiratory pathogens where a treating practitioner has not requested their patient be tested for COVID-19.

Further information is available in the following fact sheet.

PDF Version Factsheet new temporary pathology items for SARS-CoV-2 (PDF 200 KB)
Word Version Factsheet new temporary pathology items for SARS-CoV-2 (Word 132 KB)