November 1 changes to AMA Fees List

The Government has made extensive changes to the anaesthesia and colonoscopy suite of MBS items. With a small number of exceptions, the AMA will be reflecting these in the AMA List.

The Government changes include:

1. Anaesthesia: The revised MBS structure contains 28 amended items, 10 new items and deletes 31 items. Please note some services no longer receive Medicare funding.
2. Colonoscopy: The revised MBS structure is highly prescriptive with new items to distinguish eligible patient cohorts by interval screenings, as recommended by the MBS Review Taskforce. Please note some services no longer receive Medicare funding.

A ‘Summary of Changes’ for November 2019 has been uploaded to Fees List online as a preview to assist you to implement the considerable number of MBS changes to anaesthesia and colonoscopy.

If you are a AMA member and have any difficulties with your password or login details, please contact Member Services on: MemberServices@ama.comau or call 1300 133 655.

For non-member subscribers of the AMA Fees List and AMA members, if you have difficulty accessing these previews, please contact us at: Feeslist@ama.com.au.

MBS Changes Not Implemented by AMA on 1 November 2019

Due to the high volume and complexity of MBS changes and the need to consult with relevant specialist groups and establish new fees, the AMA has not been able to achieve reflection of all of these in the AMA Fees List for 1 November 2019. This will be done as soon as possible after consultation and a Fees List Committee meeting.

You will be advised at a future date of forthcoming changes to implement the MBS changes to:

1. Eating disorders – a comprehensive suite of GP, other specialist and allied health eating disorder items.Eligible patients will be able to access up to 40 psychological, medical, consultant psychiatrist and 20 dietetic services in a 12-month These items are modelled on existing GP mental health care plan items.
2. Telehealth – new GP items (2461-2483) for people living in MMM areas 6-7. 
3. Diagnostic imaging – new breast MRI items, two new breast PET items, 1 new mobile skeletal x-ray item for residential aged care. 
4. Other ‘minor’ amendments to: 

• Two sleep studies items; 
• Eight spinal surgery items; 
• One ENT item replaced with a new item for stroboscopy;
• Urology - to restrict Medicare benefits for services connected with ExMI; 
• Six cystic fibrosis gene testing items; and 
• One plastic and reconstructive surgery item to be split into two.