From 1 July 2024, the new MBS for radiation therapy will provide a modernised, simplified schedule of items with benefits weighted to reflect service complexity. The changes include:

• reduction in the total number of radiation oncology items from 90 to 43
• categorisation of the T2 Group of radiation oncology items into four subgroups:
  1. Targeted intraoperative radiation therapy
  2. Megavoltage
  3. Kilovoltage
  4. Brachytherapy
• restructure of megavoltage items - where planning items will include simulation and dosimetry, and treatment items will include verification and treatment - tiered by procedural complexity and supporting a simpler, two-part payment model
• inclusion of new items allocating benefits for selected megavoltage and brachytherapy replanning
• consolidation of orthovoltage and superficial radiation therapy items into three items for kilovoltage therapy
• introduction of a new item for kilovoltage therapy planning
• restructured brachytherapy items
• deletion of clinically obsolete items

The changes reflect the recommendations of the Oncology Clinical Committee of the MBS Review Taskforce. The committee recommended a restructured, modernised MBS for radiation oncology to align with contemporary clinical practice, within the bounds of cost neutrality for MBS expenditure, with fees weighted to reflect service complexity. A full copy of the committee's final report can be found on the Department of Health and Aged Care’s website.

Further information can be found in the factsheet below:
Word version - Changes to the Medicare Benefits Schedule for radiation therapy items - Factsheet (Word 146 KB)
PDF version - Changes to the Medicare Benefits Schedule for radiation therapy items - Factsheet (PDF 326 KB)