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.

The Chronic Disease Medicare Items, have been developed to assist GP's in managing the health 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

Practice Nurse MBS Item Numbers - November 2010

PIP and SIP Items Table - April 2010 

MBS Medicare CDM Items - May 2010

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 toas part of a TCA

Medicare Australia Help Lines Contacts

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 ISMLfestyle 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

Financial incentives available for practices to take up Medicare Online and/or Medicare Easyclaim between 1 September 2008 and 31 December 2009! A lump sum payment of $750 for metropolitan areas and an 18c transaction payment for electronic bulk bill and patient claims lodged between the above dates.

Medicare Australia have developed a fact sheet to evaluate the different Claiming options that area available for 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

Since 1984 Medicare Australia has offered medical practices a paper-based claiming channel. Today about 20% or bulk bill claims (excluding pathology) are paper-based.

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

Practice Support Team Service can assist General Practices in utilising Medicare's Services and fulfilling your responsibilities with Medicare, through

• 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 Practice Support Publications, notify General Practices about any changes to the MBS

If you would like to arrange a Practice Support Visit or would require further information about Medicare or the MBS please contact the Practice Support Team at 4220 7600