The Schedule is part of the wider Medicare Benefits Scheme managed by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care and administered by Services Australia. MBS Online contains the latest MBS information and is updated as changes to the MBS occur.
Changes to MBS Chronic Disease Management Items
The implementation of changes to chronic disease management items has been deferred from 1 November 2024 until 1 July 2025 to support all practices and providers, including GPs and allied health providers, to be ready for the changes to these important services. For more information on the deferral see Upcoming changes to MBS Chronic Disease Management Arrangements | Australian Government Department of Health and Aged CareSubject to the passage of legislation, from 1 July 2025 a revised framework for MBS items for chronic disease management in primary care will come into effect. These arrangements simplify and streamline the current MBS arrangements, including:
- Replacing the current GP management plan and team care arrangements items with a single GP chronic condition management plan,
- Patients will be eligible for the plan whether their condition is managed by their GP or prescribed medical practitioner, or multidisciplinary care is required,
- Where multidisciplinary care is required, patients will be able to access the same range of services currently available through GP management plans and team care arrangements, and
- GPs and prescribed medical practitioners will refer patients with a GP chronic condition management plan to allied health services directly. The requirement to consult with at least two collaborating providers, as described under the current team care arrangements will be removed.
Understanding Medicare: Provider Handbook
Learn more about the Medicare system. The Understanding Medicare Provider Handbook is a great resource to assist in building a solid fundamental knowledge of Medicare functions and principles. To access the resource see Understanding Medicare: Provider Handbook | Australian Government Department of Health and Aged CareCoronavirus (COVID-19) information
Information on how the Australian Government is monitoring and responding to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is available on the Health Coronavirus (COVID-19) webpage.MBS Reviews Taskforce
The MBS Review Taskforce has considered how more than 5,700 Medicare services can be aligned with contemporary clinical evidence and practice and improve health outcomes for patients. The Taskforce held its last meeting on 30 June 2020. The Department is continuing to undertake the implementation process.Medical Costs Finder
The Medical Costs Finder is an online tool. It lets you find out more about the cost of specialist medical services. It covers common services in and out of hospital that patients want to know more about. We will continue to add more services over time.The tool’s results are based on the most recent publicly available Government data about what people have paid for medical services.AskMBS Email Advice Service for Providers
AskMBS responds to enquiries from providers of services listed on the MBS seeking advice on interpretation of MBS items (including those for dental, pathology and diagnostic imaging), explanatory notes and associated legislation. This advice is primarily to assist health professionals, practice managers and others to understand and comply with MBS billing requirements.
If you are seeking advice in relation to Medicare billing, claiming, payments or obtaining a provider number, please contact Services Australia on the Provider Enquiry Line - 13 21 50.
If you have a query relating exclusively to interpretation of the Schedule, you should email askmbs@health.gov.au.
AskMBS also have an Advisories page summarising responses to frequently asked questions on specific subject areas.