Items considered for removal from the MBS – the first 23

The first collection of MBS items facing elimination has been released by the MBS Review Taskforce, seen to be “no longer part of contemporary clinical practice”. The 23 items were claimed 52,500 times in 2014-15 at a cost to the government of $6.8 million.

Six clinical expert groups produced this list, and a further 80 groups will draft their own lists of items deemed to be obsolete in the coming months.

Consultation is currently being undertaken on these 23 items.

1. Intravenous pyelography, with or without preliminary plain films and with or without tomography
2. Graham’s Test (cholecystography), with preliminary plain films and with or without tomography
3. Pelvimetry, not being a service associated with a service to which item 57201 applies
4. Bronchography, 1 side, with or without preliminary plain films and with preparation and contrast injection
5. Vasoepididymography, 1 side
6. Peritoneogram (herniography) with or without contrast medium including preparation – performed on a person over 14 years of age
7. Venography
8. Glycerol induced cochlear function changes assessed by a minimum of 4 air conduction and speech discrimination tests (Klockoff’s tests)
9. Glossopharyngeal nerve, injection of an anaesthetic agent
10. Cryotherapy to nose in the treatment of nasal haemorrhage
11. Turbinates, cryotherapy;
12. Division of pharyngeal adhesions
13. Postnasal space, direct examination of, with or without biopsy
14. Larynx, direct examination of the supraglottic, glottic and subglottic regions, not being a service associated with any other procedure on the larynx or with the administration of a general anaesthetic
15. Larynx, direct examination of, with biopsy
16. Larynx, direct examination of, with removal of tumour
17. Biliary manometry
18. Gastric hypothermia by closed circuit circulation of refrigerant for upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage
19. Gastric hypothermia by closed circuit circulation of refrigerant in the absence of upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage
20. Sigmoidoscopic examination with diathermy or resection of one or more polyps where the time taken is less than or equal to 45 minutes
21. Sigmoidoscopic examination with diathermy or resection of one or more polyps where the time taken is greater than 45 minutes
22. Treatment of habitual miscarriage by injection of hormones each injection up to a maximum of 12 injections, where the injection is not administered during a routine antenatal attendance; an
23. Bronchospirometry, including gas analysis

Would the removal of these items from the MBS impact your work, or your colleagues work, in primary health care?

Are there items you think could be optioned for removal during this process that shouldn’t be?