The January 2021 MBS files are available on the January 2021 downloads page.
2021 Medicare Safety Nets Thresholds | Threshold amount | Who it’s for | What counts towards the threshold | What benefit you’ll get back |
| Original Medicare Safety Net (OMSN) | $481.20 | Everyone in Medicare | Your gap amount for the calendar year. | 100% of the schedule fee for out of hospital services. |
| Extended Medicare Safety Net (EMSN)- General | $2,184.30 | Everyone in Medicare | Your out of pocket amount for the calendar year. | 80% of out of pocket costs or the EMSN benefit caps for out of hospital services. |
| Extended Medicare Safety Net (EMSN) - Concessional and Family Tax Benefit Part A | $697.00 | Concession cardholders and families eligible for Family Tax Benefit Part A | Your out of pocket amount for the calendar year. | 80% of out of pocket costs or the EMSN benefits caps for out of hospital services. |
From 1 January 2021 there were minor changes to three neurosurgery items (39018, 39109 and 39113) to clarify that assistance is required in the provision of these services. These services involve the use of stereotaxy, which requires the use of an assistant to set up the stereotactic navigation and planning. This change will align these services with best practice and ensure patient safety.
There is also a change to item 73337 which commenced on 1 January 2014 for the testing of tumour tissue from a patient diagnosed with non-small lung cancer, in order to determine if the patient meets the requirements relating to the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene status for access to medicines under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). From 1 January 2021 patients will be able to access medicines identified as an EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor, which will include the drug osimertinib.
| Amended Items from 1 January 2021 (excluding Safety Net changes) | 39018 39109 39913 73337 |
The legislative instrument authorises the indexation of the Safety Net items, caps and thresholds
The legislative instrument authorises the addition of osimertinib to MBS item 73337 for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in patients diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
The legislative instrument authorises the addition of the assistance at operations for items 39018 39109 39913