The 1 March 2026 MBS files are available on the March 2026 Downloads Page.
Summary of Changes for 1 March 2026
From 1 March 2026, there will be changes to the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS). These changes include a range of administrative and policy changes to implement the Australian Government’s response to recommendations for the MBS Review Taskforce (the Taskforce) and the Medical Services Advisory Committee (MSAC). The changes will affect MBS legislation, including the:
- · Health Insurance (Diagnostic Imaging Services Table) Regulations (No. 2) 2020;
· Health Insurance (General Medical Services Table) Regulations 2021;
· Health Insurance (Pathology Services Table) Regulations 2020; and
Definition of eligible disability
From 1 March 2026, the definition of "eligible disabilities" will be expanded to incorporate people who have, or are suspected of having, stuttering, speech sound disorders and cleft lip and/or palate to access allied health assessment, diagnosis and treatment services.
Health assessments for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and health assessments for immunisation and screening programs
Items for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ health assessments have been updated to better align item age stratifications and age-based clinical requirements with national guidance. Health assessments for immunisation and screening programs have also been updated to reflect these changes.
Introduce 32 new MBS items for patient end support (PES) services
From 1 March 2026, new MBS items for PES services are being introduced as recommended by MRAC. These services allow for fuller assessment of treatment plans, improved assessment, multidisciplinary collaboration and support efficient clinical hand over. These services will allow GP’s, prescribed medical practitioners, or nurse practitioners to support a patient face to face during a video consultation with a specialist. The MBS benefit for these items will align with their existing MBS benefit amounts.
Other changes to general medical services
From 1 March 2026, changes will be made relating to general medical services. These changes include:
· Minor administrative amendments to consultant physicians items 92748, 92751, 92755, 92758, 92763, 92768 to replace “the attendance” with “an attendance”, “specialists” with “specialist’s”, and “by locum tenens” with “, or by a locum tenens”.
· Administrative amendments have been to remove references to repealed items 93470 and 93479 in item descriptors for items 92004 and 92011.
· Administrative changes to update telehealth clauses 2.1.5, 5.1.2, 8.1.3 and items 92422, 92760, 92623, 92762, 92763, 92767, 92768 to add references to subsequent phone items.
· Subgroup A44 - Specialist and Consultant Physician was amended to Subgroup 44 to align with other subgroup numbering in legislation.
· The following sunsetting instruments have been remade:
- o for the treatment of chronic sialorrhea caused by neurological or neurodevelopmental disorders; and
o to treat spasticity of the upper and lower limb due to cerebral palsy.
· Electrocardiogram item 11707 will be amended to become a precursor for item 11705. Item 11714 will be made available for GPs to bill on behalf of their patients.
· Amend item 38511 to introduce a frequency restriction on claiming such that item 38511 is applicable only once in conjunction with each service to which item 38502 applies and amend item 45018 to introduce a claiming limitation where item 38502 is claimed.
· The second tranche of “(H)” flag amendments has been implemented. This includes adding the “(H)” flag to specified existing items to provide those items are to be provided in a hospital setting only (attracting only a 75% benefit), and removing the “(H)” flag from specified existing items to reinstate the 85% benefit and enable them to be provided outside of a hospital setting.
· Minor edits to item 30281, changing reference from a person to a patient and removing reference to “under general anaesthesia”.
· Amendments to level 3 megavoltage items to clarify that either of the Level 3 megavoltage planning items (15910 or 15914) can precede either of the Level 3-planning items (15912 or 15916) or level 3 treatment items (15938 or 15940).
· An administrative amendment to the structure and numbering of existing radiation oncology subgroups in T2.
Changes relating to diagnostic imaging services
From 1 March 2026, changes will be made relating to diagnostic imaging services. These changes include:
· eligibility for midwives and nurse practitioners to bill MBS item 55080 for their patients commences. Item 55080 provides for ultrasounds for patients with complex genealogical conditions.
· Items 59302 and 59305 have been amended to include three dimensional tomosynthesis of the breast as a new technology in identifying breast cancer in patients.
Changes relating to pathology services
From 1 March 2026, changes will be made relating to pathology services. These changes include:
· Administrative amendments to replace the brand name “Clozaril” with its generic name “Clozapine”. The amendment updates the spelling of three additional relevant generic drug names under the Rule 3 exemption in the PST with their current spelling in the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
· Alignment of patient episode initiation (PEI) items 73932, 73933, 73934 and 73935 to add references to a "residential aged care facility".
Relevant legislation
Please note links will be added as they become available on the Federal Register of Legislation.
Health Insurance Legislation Amendment (2026 Measures No. 1) Regulations 2026
Health Insurance Legislation Amendment (2026 Measures No. 1) Determination 2025
Health Insurance (Section 4BA - Pathologist-Determinable Services) Determination 2025