Extension of the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Pathology Items

This page provides information on the changes that will apply to the COVID-19 MBS pathology items on 1 July 2022.

Page last updated: 06 April 2022

The Australian Government has extended the temporary Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) items 69479 and 69480, which supports pathology laboratory testing for COVID-19 via polymerase chain reaction (PCR), until 30 September 2022.

MBS items 69479 and 69480 apply following a request from a medical or nurse practitioner that the test is necessary for the clinical management of their patient.

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