Changes to MBS items for orthopaedic surgery services

Changes to MBS items for orthopaedic surgery services

Page last updated: 03 September 2021

From 1 July 2021 the Australian Government is making changes to Medicare funded orthopaedic surgery services. These changes follow recommendations from the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) Review Taskforce and extensive consultation with key stakeholders.

What

The changes include the addition of new items, the amendment, deletion, consolidation and simplification of existing items, and consequential amendments to explanatory notes.

Why

MBS items for orthopaedic surgery will be changing to ensure services are clinically appropriate, reflect contemporary clinical practice and improve quality of care and safety for patients.

Who

These changes are relevant for all specialists involved in the provision of orthopaedic services, consumers claiming these services, private hospitals and private health insurers.

When

The changes to orthopaedic surgery services will be effective from 1 July 2021. These changes are subject to legislative processes.

Where can I find more information?

Webinar presentation

Orthopaedic Surgery Webinar Presentation

Taskforce final report – Orthopaedic MBS items

Final Report on the review of Orthopaedic MBS items

    Orthopaedic Changes for 1 July 2021

    The factsheets in the table below, last updated 07 July 2021 effective from 1 July 2021, replace all previous versions published on MBS Online

    Reference DocumentsPDF and Word versions
    MBS Group T8 - Surgical Operations
    (Last updated: 19 August 2021)
    PDF version Group T8 (PDF 2418 KB)
    Word version Group T8 (Word 374 KB)
    Changes to General Orthopaedic Surgery
    (Last updated: 7 July 2021)
    PDF version General Orthopaedic Factsheet (PDF 215 KB)
    Word version General Orthopaedic Factsheet (Word 93 KB)
    Changes to Paediatric Surgery
    (Last updated: 7 July 2021)
    PDF version Paediatric Factsheet (PDF 221 KB)
    Word version Paediatric Factsheet (Word 95 KB)
    Changes to Shoulder and Elbow Surgery
    (Last updated: 7 July 2021)
    PDF version Shoulder and Elbow Factsheet (PDF 207 KB)
    Word version Shoulder and Elbow Factsheet (Word 91 KB)
    Changes to Hand and Wrist Surgery
    (Last updated: 7 July 2021)
    PDF version Hand and Wrist Factsheet (PDF 275 KB)
    Word version Hand and Wrist Factsheet (Word 102 KB)
    Changes to Foot and Ankle Surgery
    (Last updated: 7 July 2021)
    PDF version Foot and Ankle Factsheet (PDF 280 KB)
    Word version Foot and Ankle Factsheet (Word 105 KB)
    Changes to Knee Surgery
    (Last updated: 7 July 2021)
    PDF version Knee Factsheet (PDF 261 KB)
    Word version Knee Factsheet (Word 95 KB)
    Changes to Hip Surgery
    (Last updated: 7 July 2021)
    PDF version Hip Factsheet (PDF 205 KB)
    Word version Hip Factsheet (Word 91 KB)
    Hip Revision Surgery Item Map
    (Last updated: 7 July 2021)
    PDF version Hip Revision Surgery Item Map (PDF 173 KB)
    Word version Hip Revision Surgery Item Map (Word 143 KB)
    Arthroscopic Knee Surgery Item Map
    (Last updated: 7 July 2021)
    PDF version Arthroscopic Knee Surgery Item Map
    Word version Arthroscopic Knee Surgery Item Map


    Disclaimer:
    Please note that the information provided is a general guide only and subject to revision. It is ultimately the responsibility of treating practitioners to use their professional judgment to determine the most clinically appropriate services to provide, and then to ensure that any services billed to Medicare fully meet the eligibility requirements outlined in the legislation.

    To find out more or subscribe for updates visit MBS Online

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