Summary of Item Changes
New item
11244 32023 37245
Amended Description
133 2100 2122 2126 2137 2143 2147 2195 2199 11503 11602 11604 11605 11708 11709 11820 33806
Amended Rebate
13870 13873 13876 13881 13882 13885 13888 30165 30168 30171 30174 30189 30210 39327 45522 45556 45638
45639 45641 45644 48418 50351 52342 52345 52348 52351 52354 52357 52360 52363 52366 52369 52372 52375
Notes
Removal of out-of-hospital benefits for a small number of MBS items
On 1 March 2013 the Department of Health and Ageing amended a small number of MBS items to clarify that the services described in the items would attract a Medicare benefit only where they were provided in a hospital or an accredited day surgery facility. The provision of complex services outside of a recognised hospital under Medicare may compromise patient quality of care, as the facilities established to provide these services may not have the appropriate accreditation standards that are required of a private hospital.
Item 32023
Item 32023 has been added to the MBS to reflect the fact that the insertion of colonic stents provides a safe, effective and cost effective treatment for malignant bowel obstructions. It will be effective from 1 March 2013.
New prostate treatment item - HoLEP
The Australian Government has approved Medicare rebates for a new treatment for benign enlargement of the prostate. Called Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate (HoLEP), it involves complete removal of the enlarged prostate gland, via the urethra. HoLEP is used to treat lower urinary tract symptoms in Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), which is non-cancerous growth of tissue that causes enlargement of the prostate, leading to urinary obstruction. Untreated BPH may result in damage to normal function of the bladder and kidneys. HoLEP is less invasive than other currently available treatments and will reduce the length of hospital stay for patients. Around 500 patients each year will benefit from this new service.
New ophthalmology item - B-scan
The Australian Government has approved Medicare rebates for a new MBS item for ophthalmologists. Called a B(brightness)-scan (or B-scan) ultrasound, ophthalmologists will use this service to diagnose various ocular diseases, without the need for referral to a radiologist. The new item is similar to existing MBS items 55030 and 55031.