From Australian Doctor
Working out the correct MBS item numbers can be intimidating for new GP Registrar’s – fortunately there are plenty of resources available to make it easier to work out what to bill and when. In addition, there are potential reimbursement events that GP Registrar’s may not be aware of, so keep an eye out for those!
Bulk Billing
Don’t forget! If you’re bulk billing a patient you can add item 10990 ($6.15 Available to patients under 16 years or Commonwealth concession card holders; when bulk billed; and not an admitted patient of a hospital) or 10991 ($9.25 As above, if the service is provided in a rural area (RA2-5)).
Additional Gems
If you attend a nurse performed procedure (dressing change etc.) and the patient has a GPMP (721), search the billing history for 10997 (Service provided to a person with a chronic disease by a practice nurse) and if they haven’t had 5 within the last 12 months this can be added to the standard consultation fee.
Shave biopsies should be billed as item 30071.
Ingrown toenail resection with phenolisation should be billed as item 47916.
INR dosing from Pathology need registration and a slip for “INR S4B3 – Lab dosing” and indication (ie. Mechanical heart valve; target INR 2.5 – 3.5)
3GA Registrar’s
Unable to bill under ‘standard’ consults as not VR or Non-VR…. but can still bill 10991 for rural area patients if bulk billing!
In Practice Fees
| Item No | Private | HCC | Pension Card | Medicare Rebate |
| Level A – 179 (<5min) | $26.80 | $24.80 | $20.30 | $13.75 |
| Level B – 185 (5min<25min) | $65.50 | $48.00 | $40.00 | $30.10 |
| Level C – 189 (25min<45min) | $121.50 | $90.50 | $72.50 | $58.25 |
| Level D – 203 (>45min) | $148.50 | $118.50 | $98.55 | $85.70 |
GPMP/TCA Fees
| Item No | Equivalent To | Medicare Rebate |
| GPMP – 229 | 721 | $115.40 |
| TCA – 230 | 723 | $91.45 |
| Review of GPMP or TCA – 233 | 732 | $57.65 |
DMMR Fees
Health Assessment Fees
| Item No | Equivalent To | Medicare Rebate |
| Brief (<30min) – 224 | 701 | $47.50 |
| Standard (30min>45min) – 225 | 703 | $110.30 |
| Long (45min>60min) – 226 | 705 | $152.25 |
| Prolonged (>60min) – 227 | 707 | $215.05 |
Mental Health Fees
| Item No | Equivalent To | Medicare Rebate |
| Consultation – 279 | 2713 | $57.35 |
| MHCP (20min<40min) – 272 | 2715 | $72.85 |
| MHCP (>40min) – 276 | 2717 | $107.30 |
| MHCP Review – 277 | 2712 | $58.30 |
