Aboriginal Specific items: 

Follow- up Allied Health Services  MBS Items: Aboriginal Health Assessment 

Follow-up Items: Practice Nurse and Aboriginal Health Worker: MBS

Subsidising PBS Co-payments Fact Sheet

PBS Information Sheet - List of ATSI only PBS items

For more information, resources and forms regarding Aboriginal health, including the Indigenous Health Incentive,  please visit the Closing the Gap page

The Medicare Benefits Schedule

The Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) is a Department of Health and Ageing (DoHA) publication which is updated regularly and maintained by DoHA.

The MBS is available online

The MBS online webpage contains a latest news section, FAQ, publications downloads and a search option.

In the MBS online you can search and browse through the Medicare Items or the Explanatory Notes contained within the Schedule by:

• Item number
• Item description
• Notes

Enhanced Primary Care

The Enhanced Primary Care Initiative introduced by the Commonwealth Government in In 1999, was developed to provide greater focus upon preventative care for older Australians and improve the coordination of care for individuals with chronic conditions and complex care needs.

Chronic Disease Medicare Items have been developed to assist GPs manage the care of patients with Chronic Medical Conditions. Further information pertaining to Enhanced Primary Care and Chronic Disease Management can be found through the resources below.

EPC/CDM Resources

PIP and SIP Items Table - March 2012

MBS Medicare CDM Items - March 2012 

CDM Items overview - Overview of All CDM item numbers

List of Service Providers for Team Care Arrangements - List of providers that a patient can be referred to as part of a TCA

EPC/CDM Links

MBS Primary Care Items - Summary of the entire EPC program developed by DoHA

CDM Item Number Overview - Summary of CDM Item Numbers available developed by DoHA

ISML Diabetes Program

Overview of ISMLifestyle Modification Program

Medicare Australia

The Medicare Australia website contains useful information for both the general public and health professionals.

Information for health professionals includes:

• Doing Business with Medicare 
• Claiming Choices
• Schemes and Initiatives
• Incentives and Allowances - such as PIP, GPII and Mental Health Nurse Incentive Program
• Forms, Publications and Statistics
• Frequently asked Bulk Billing Questions
• Medicare Contacts for Health Professionals

Claiming options

Medicare Australia has developed a fact sheet to evaluate the different claiming options available to General Practices -  How different Medicare Claiming Channels compare

Medicare Online (Internet based)

Medicare online (previously called HIC online) allows practices lodge Medicare claims via the internet. It can be used to process bulk bill and patient claims, as well as Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) and Australian Childhood Immunisation Register (ACIR) information.

For bulk billed services, it eliminates batching and payments can be deposited directly into the health care provider’s nominated bank account within 2-3 working days.

Medicare Online Fact sheets

More information about Medicare Online

Medicare Easyclaim (EFTPOS based)

Medicare Easyclaim allows practices to lodge Medicare claims using an EFTPOS terminal. Payments are usually made within 24 hours, straight into the health care provider’s nominated bank account.

You can also offer Medicare Easyclaim to your patients. Patients can use it to claim their Medicare rebate once their account is settled, and have their rebate paid into their bank account almost immediately.

More information about Medicare Easyclaim

To talk to a Medicare Australia staff member about Medicare Easyclaim please call eBusiness service centre on 1800 700 199. A support package is available to practices wishing to adopt this claiming system.

Paper-based claiming

While Medicare Australia will continue to support paper-based claiming, they are encouraging practices to consider switching to electronic claiming instead. The turn around for paper-based payment is 14 days.

Practices can take the first step towards electronic claiming by submitting an Application for EFT payments for Medicare bulk bill and all DVA claims

Once this application is submitted, paper-based claims can still be made, however Medicare benefits will be paid directly into the health care provider’s nominated bank account, instead of waiting for a cheque to be sent to your practice.

Detailed information about the Medicare Claiming System can be found through the Medicare Electronic Claiming page on the Medicare website. It’s a fast, secure system that allows you to make your Medicare claim at the doctors when you pay your account. 

How the Practice Support Team can assist General Practice in fulfilling their Medicare obligations

Primary Care Support Team Service can assist General Practice to utilise Medicare's Services to fulfill their responsibilities with Medicare, by:

• Navigating the Medicare Benefits Schedule - items relevant to general practice including: EPC, PIP, Practice Nurse MBS items, Aged Care MBS items, After Hours MBS items.
• Providing updates about General Practices Claiming Options
• Providing education and information about changes to the MBS
• Undertaking specific practice visits to assist General Practice in utilising specific item numbers
• Through the Primary Care Support Publications, notify General Practices about any changes to the MBS

If you would like to arrange a Primary Care Support visit or require further information about Medicare or the MBS please contact the Primary Care Support Team on 4220 7600