As the clock ticks toward November 1, 2023, get ready for some changes to the MBS.
Brace yourself for an array of alterations, including administrative modifications, fee indexation adjustments linked with the 2023/24 Budget, and an expansion in the greatest permissible gap due to yearly indexation. These changes are designed to integrate various measures from the 2023-24 Budget, aiming to improve and refine healthcare services.
Indexation Boost Commencing November 1, 2023, a notable update involves an additional 0.5 per cent indexation, applying to key medical service items. Look out for this uplift across most general medical services items, most diagnostic imaging services (excluding nuclear imaging services), and specific pathology items.
Bulk-Billing changes and New Consultation Items Prepare for changes in seven existing bulk-billing incentive items, alongside the introduction of 13 new items into the MBS family.
Keep an eye out for the fresh additions: 75870, 75871, 75872, 75873, 75874, 75875, 75876, 75880, 75881, 75882, 75883, 75884, and 75885.
New General attendance MBS Additions and minimum time changes:
The upcoming changes also feature new additions to the General Medical Services Table (GMST), offering services for patients requiring consultations lasting 60 minutes or more (known as level E consultation items). Moreover, existing 40-minute or more consultation items (termed level D consultation items) will be updated to include a maximum attendance time.
Introduction of a minimum service time to specific general practitioner consultation items, such as 23, 24, 5020, 5023, and 5028, catering to consultations lasting at least six minutes and less than 20 minutes. Amendments to existing telehealth items—91800, 91805, and 91808—to include appropriate minimum and maximum consultation times as well.
Launch of new telehealth items—91920, 91923, and 91926—for general practice attendance items lasting 60 minutes or more.
Introduction of new phone items—91900, 91903, 91906, 91910, 91913, and 91916—tailored for extended general practice attendances for patients registered under MyMedicare with the billing practice.
These will be added to our MBS Cheat sheet in the next week- so wait to see the details then
Short and sweet summary
0.5% index added to most items New level E for appointments over 40 minutes long Level B attendances (Face to face, video and phone with minimum time of 6 minutes) New telehealth items for patients up to 60 minutes New access to phone items for longer than 20 minutes if registered with MyMedicare with the practice New bulk billing incentives begin- MM1 rate at $20.65 where this item can be claimed with face to face C, D and E general attendance (and video/phone) items when registered with us in MyMedicare
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