Report from the Diagnostic Imaging Clinical Committee – Breast Imaging (Now Closed)
Items reviewed
Total of 39 items reviewed:
- 32 Breast imaging (ultrasound, x-ray, MRI) items
- 7 Breast biopsy items
Proposed item changes:
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5 items should be deleted
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3 new items should be created
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4 items should be amended
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13 items should remain unchanged
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2 items should be referred to the MSAC Executive for their consideration
Report recommendations:
The clinical committee report made a total of 9 recommendations, and are listed as follows:
Breast ultrasound
Recommendation 1: Create an ultrasound-guided breast biopsy item.
Mammography
Recommendation 2: Amend the clinical indications in the item descriptor for bilateral mammography item 59300 to encourage appropriate use of BreastScreen services.
Recommendation 3: Create a new bilateral mammography item with an increased fee to encourage uptake of digital radiography mammography.
Recommendation 4: Delete mammary ductogram items 59306 and 59309 from the MBS.
Breast MRI
Recommendation 5: Amend the item descriptor for breast MRI item 63464 and refer
proposed changes to the Medical Services Advisory Committee Executive for consideration.
Breast biopsy
Recommendation 6: Delete bore-enbloc stereotactic biopsy breast biopsy items 31539,31542 and 31545 from the MBS.
Recommendation 7: Create an explanatory note for breast biopsy items 31533 and 31548 to encourage use of mechanical breast biopsy over FNA, except in exceptional clinical circumstances.
Recommendation 8: Create a new item and explanatory note for the insertion of a breast biopsy localisation marker clip and refer the proposed item to the Medical Services Advisory Committee for consideration.
Recommendation 9: Increase the fee for mechanical breast biopsy item 31548.