The September 2021 Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) files are available on the 15 September 2021 Downloads page
Summary of Change for 15 September 2021
From 15 September 2021 there have been a number of changes to the MBS. These changes include the introduction of 40 new services for specialist telehealth items, an expansion to six current items. Details of the changes are as follows:
Temporary items In-Hospital Telehealth and Phone Services
From 15 September 2021 there are 40 new temporary items for specialist telehealth and phone services for private patients admitted to hospital. The new items can be performed by the admitting specialist if, at the time of attendance, the specialist is:
- located in an area determined by the Commonwealth Chief Medical Officer to be a COVID-19 hotspot; or
- required to isolate because of a State or Territory COVID-19 public health order; or
- required to be in quarantine because of a State or Territory COVID-19 public health order.
Services can be performed by specialists, consultant physicians, consultant psychiatrists, public health physicians, medical practitioners in the practice of anaesthesia and dental practitioners in the practice of oral and maxillofacial surgery.
The new items attract a Medicare rebate of 85%. These services will remain in place until 31 December 2021.
A Fact sheet, Quick Reference Guide and summary of the 40 new temporary items In-Hospital Telehealth and Phone Services can be found under September on the current factsheets page
| New items from 15 September 2021 | 91846 91847 91848 91849 92425 92426 92427 92461 92462 92463 92464 92465 92466 92471 92472 92473 92501 92502 92503 92504 92505 92506 92517 92518 92519 92520 92525 92526 92527 92528 92615 92616 92625 92626 92702 92713 54006 54007 54011 54012 |
Amended items for GP and Allied Health Chronic Disease Management Services for Care Recipients of a Residential Aged Care Facility
From 15 September 2021 there have been amendments to six temporary allied health items (93518, 93519, 93520, 93571, 93572 and 93753) for physical therapy services that are provided in a residential aged care facility which removes the restriction that the patient is required to have received five allied health services under an item in subgroup 1 or 3 of Group M29 or Group M3 in that calendar year.
The restriction provided an unintentional barrier to utilising the additional physical therapy items, as there are a number of different types of allied health professionals who can utilise the first five items in Groups M29 and M3, and these sessions may be distributed throughout the calendar year.
| Amended items from 15 September 2021 | 93518 93519 93520 93571 93572 93573 |