Medicare Guidelines for Doctors

All examinations performed by North Coast Radiology are done so in observance of the Medicare Benefits Schedule. The Medicare Benefits Schedule provides criteria which determine if rebates offered by Medicare can be accessed by patients.

 

*For a patient to be eligible for a Medicare rebate there are certain criteria that all referrals must display.

– Referrer name, provider number, contact details and signature of the referrer
– Examination requested
– All relevant clinical history

 

Click on the tab with Modality you want Medicare rule information about. If you are in Allied Health or Dentistry click here for Medicare information.

 

For the full Medicare Benefits Schedule, please visit www.mbsonline.gov.au ***

Bone Densitometry

ItemDescriptionLimitations
12306The confirmation of a presumptive diagnosis of low bone mineral density made on the basis of;
  • 1 or more fractures occurring after minimal trauma; or

  • for the monitoring of low bone mineral density proven by bone densitometry at least 12 months previously

1 service only in a period of 24 consecutive months
12312
  • prolonged glucocorticoid therapy;
  • conditions associated with excess glucocorticoid secretion;
  • male hypogonadism; or
  • female hypogonadism lasting more than 6 months before the age of 45
1 service only in a period of 12 consecutive months
12315for the diagnosis and monitoring of bone loss associated with 1 or more of the following conditions
  • primary hyperparathyroidism;
  • chronic liver disease;
  • chronic renal disease;
  • proven malabsorptive disorders;
  • rheumatoid arthritis; or
  • conditions associated with thyroxine excess.
1 service only in a period of 24 consecutive months
12320for the measurement of bone mineral density, if:
  • the patient is 70 years of age or over; and
  • either:
    1. the patient has not previously had bone densitometry; or
    2. the t score for the patient’s bone mineral density is -1.5 or more
1 service only in a 5 year period
12321for the measurement of bone density 12 months following a significant change in therapy (change in class of drugs not just dose changes) for
  • established low bone mineral density; or
  • the confirmation of a presumptive diagnosis of low bone mineral density made on the basis of 1 or more fractures occurring after minimal trauma.
1 service only in a period of 12 consecutive months
12322for the measurement of bone mineral density, if:
  • the patient is 70 years of age or over; and
  • the t score for the patient’s bone mineral density is less than -1.5 but more than -2.5
1 service only in a 2 year period
DEXAFor screening bone mineral density, which is not eligible for a Medicare rebate.

CT Colonography

ItemDescriptionLimitations
56553For exclusion or diagnosis of colorectal neoplasia in a symptomatic or high risk patient if:
  1. One [or more] of the following applies:
    • the patient has had an incomplete colonoscopy in the 3 months before the scan;
    • there is a high-grade colonic obstruction;
    • the patient is referred by a specialist or consultant physician who performs colonoscopies [in the practice of his or her speciality];
    and
  2. The service is not a service to which item 56301, 56307, 56401, 56407, 56409, 56412, 56501, 56507, 56801,56807 or 57001 applies; and
  3. The service has not been performed on the patient in the 36 months before the scan

CT Coronary Arteries

ItemDescriptionLimitations
57360performed on a minimum of a 64 slice (or equivalent) scanner, where the request is made by a specialist or consultant physician and
  1. the patient has stable symptoms consistent with coronary ischaemia, is at low to intermediate risk of coronary artery disease and would have been considered for coronary angiography; or
  2. the patient requires exclusion of coronary artery anomaly or fistula; or
  3. the patient will be undergoing non-coronary cardiac surgery

Limitations- GP can refer however patient will incur a fee as not Medicare rebatable

CT Spiral Angiography

ItemDescriptionLimitations
57351Computed tomography—angiography with intravenous contrast medium. The service is performed for the exclusion of acute or recurrent pulmonary embolism; acute symptomatic arterial occlusion; post operative complication of arterial surgery; acute ruptured aneurysm; or acute dissection of the aorta, carotid or vertebral artery; and the service is not a study performed to image the coronary arteries, and the services to which item 57352, 57353 or 57354 applies has been performed on the same patient within the previous 12 months.1 in 12 months
57352CT Angiography Head and/or neck - First study in 12 months. If the service is requested by a
  • specialist or consultant physician; or
  • medical practitioner (other than a specialist or consultant physician) and the request indicates that the patient’s case has been discussed with a specialist or consultant physician
1 in 12 months
57353CT Angiography Chest and/or Abdomen and/or Upper limbs - First study in 12 months. If the service is requested by a
  • specialist or consultant physician; or
  • medical practitioner (other than a specialist or consultant physician) and the request indicates that the patient’s case has been discussed with a specialist or consultant physician
1 in 12 months
57354CT Angiography Pelvis and/or Lower limbs - First study in 12 months. If the service is requested by a
  • specialist or consultant physician; or
  • medical practitioner (other than a specialist or consultant physician) and the request indicates that the patient’s case has been discussed with a specialist or consultant physician
1 in 12 months

MRI for GPs

From 1 November 2013 General Practitioners are able to refer patients over 16 years of age for a small range of Medicare eligible indications, in addition to the indications awarded in 2012 for children under 16 years of age. From 1 November 2018 Knee MRIs are restricted for those 50 and over. For those under 16, an Xray is no longer required prior to the knee MRI.

 

For a PDF version of this list please click here.

ItemDescriptionLimitations
63551 HeadReferral by a medical practitioner (excluding a specialist or consultant physician) for a scan of the head for any of the following:
  • Unexplained seizure(s)
  • Unexplained chronic headache with suspected intracranial pathology
Person over 16 years
63554 C-SpineReferral by a medical practitioner (excluding a specialist or consultant physician) for a scan of the spine for suspected:
  • Cervical radiculopathy
Person over 16 years
63557 C-SpineReferral by a medical practitioner (excluding a specialist or consultant physician) for a scan of the spine for suspected:
  • Cervical spine trauma
Person over 16 years
63560 KneeReferral by a medical practitioner (excluding a specialist or consultant physician) for a scan of the knee following acute knee trauma with:
  • Inability to extend the knee suggesting the possibility of acute meniscal tear or;
  • Clinical findings suggesting acute anterior cruciate ligament tear
Person 16 years to 49 years old
63508 HeadReferral by a medical practitioner (excluding a specialist or consultant physician) for a scan of the head for any of the following:
  • Unexplained seizure
  • Unexplained headache where significant pathology is suspected
  • Paranasal sinus pathology which has not responded to conservative therapy.
Person under 16 years
63511 Full SpineReferral by a medical practitioner (excluding a specialist or consultant physician) for a scan of the spine following radiographic examination for any of the following:
  • Significant trauma
  • Unexplained neck or back pain with associated neurological signs
  • Unexplained back pain where significant pathology is suspected
Person under 16 years - must have x-ray first
63514 KneeReferral by a medical practitioner (excluding a specialist or consultant physician) for a scan of the knee following radiographic examination for internal joint derangement.Person under 16 years
63517 HipReferral by a medical practitioner (excluding a specialist or consultant physician) for a scan of the hip following radiographic examination for any of the following:
  • Suspected septic arthritis
  • Suspected slipped capital femoral epiphysis
  • Suspected perthes disease
Person under 16 years - must have x-ray first
63520 ElbowReferral by a medical practitioner (excluding a specialist or consultant physician) for a scan of the elbow following radiographic examination where a significant fracture or avulsion injury is suspected.Person under 16 years - must have x-ray first
63523 WristReferral by a medical practitioner (excluding a specialist or consultant physician) for a scan of the wrist following radiographic examination where a scaphoid fracture is suspected.Person under 16 years - must have x-ray first

Mammography

If you want a 3D examination (where possible e.g. Grafton and Lismore) please write 3D or Tomography onto the referral.

ItemDescriptionLimitations
59300

2D Mammography Bilateral Breasts

Where there is a reason to suspect the presence of malignancy because of:

     
  1. the past occurrence of breast malignancy in the patient; or
  2. significant history of breast or ovarian malignancy in the patient’s family; or
  3. symptoms or indications of breast disease found on examination of the patient by a medical practitioner (R)


    Symptoms or indications of malignancy include: localised mass, localised lumps, localised pain, localised tenderness. For previous history of malignancy in patient or family member please provide relevant history. It is helpful to include any relevant clinical information such as past history of breast surgery, breast reduction or augmentation and specific information relating to the area of interest, including the side, size and location within the breast.

Only 2D
59303

2D Mammography Breast

Where there is reason to suspect the presence of malignancy because of:

     
  1. the service is specifically requested for a unilateral mammogram; and
  2. there is reason to suspect the presence of malignancy because of:

(i) the past occurrence of breast malignancy in the patient; or

(ii) significant history of breast or ovarian malignancy in the patient’s family; or

(iii) symptoms or indications of breast disease found on examination of the patient by a medical practitioner  


Symptoms or indications of malignancy include: localised mass, localised lumps, localised pain, localised tenderness. For previous history of malignancy in patient or family member please provide relevant history. It is helpful to include any relevant clinical information such as past history of breast surgery, breast reduction or augmentation and specific information relating to the area of interest, including the side, size and location within the breast.

Only 2D
59302

3D Tomosynthesis Bilateral Breasts

Where there is a reason to suspect the presence of malignancy because of:

     
  1. the past occurrence of breast malignancy in the patient or
  2. significant history of breast or ovarian malignancy in the patient’s family; or
  3. symptoms or indications of breast disease found on an examination of the patient by a medical practitioner
 


Symptoms or indications of malignancy include: localised mass, localised lumps, localised pain, localised tenderness. For previous history of malignancy in patient or family member please provide relevant history. It is helpful to include any relevant clinical information such as past history of breast surgery, breast reduction or augmentation and specific information relating to the area of interest, including the side, size and location within the breast.

Only 3D
59305

3D Tomosynthesis Breast

Where there is reason to suspect the presence of malignancy because of:

     
  1. the past occurrence of breast malignancy in the patient; or
  2. significant history of breast or ovarian malignancy in the patient’s family; or
  3. symptoms or indications of breast disease found on an examination of the patient by a medical practitioner.
 


Symptoms or indications of malignancy include: localised mass, localised lumps, localised pain, localised tenderness. For previous history of malignancy in patient or family member please provide relevant history. It is helpful to include any relevant clinical information such as past history of breast surgery, breast reduction or augmentation and specific information relating to the area of interest, including the side, size and location within the breast.

Only 3D

Ultrasound – Obstetrics & Nuchael Translucency

To be eligible for a Medicare rebate, patients must meet one of the following criteria, and that criteria must be indicated on the referral.
ItemDescriptionLimitations
55700Ultrasound of Pelvis or abdomen, pregnancy related or pregnancy complication, ultrasound scan of, by any or all approaches, for determining the gestation, location, viability or number of foetuses, if the dating of the pregnancy (as confirmed by ultrasound) is less than 12 weeks of gestation.Pregnancy < 12 weeks only
55707Pelvis or abdomen, pregnancy related or pregnancy complication, fetal development and anatomy, ultrasound scan of, by any or all approaches, if: (a) the pregnancy (as confirmed by ultrasound) is dated by a fetal crown rump length of 45 to 84 mm; and (b) nuchal translucency measurement is performed to assess the risk of fetal abnormality; and (c) the service is not performed with item 55700, 55703, 55704 or 55705 on the same patient within 24 hoursPregnancy Nuchal Translucency (only)
55704Ultrasound scan of Pregnancy related or pregnancy complication, fetal development and anatomy, for determining the structure, gestation, location, viability or number of foetuses, if the dating of the pregnancy (as confirmed by ultrasound) is 12 to 16 weeks of gestation.Pregnancy 12-16 weeks only
55706PELVIS or ABDOMEN pregnancy related or pregnancy complication, fetal development and anatomy, ultrasound scan of, by any or all approaches, with measurement of all parameters for dating purposes, where
     
  1. the patient is referred by a medical practitioner; and
  2. the dating for the pregnancy (as confirmed by ultrasound) is 17 to 22 weeks of gestation; and
  3. the service is not performed in the same pregnancy as item 55709
Pregnancy 17-22 weeks only and only 1 per pregnancy
55712

Specialist Referral Only

PELVIS or ABDOMEN, pregnancy related or pregnancy complication, fetal development and anatomy, ultrasound scan of, by any or all approaches, with measurement of all parameters for dating purposes, where:
     
  1. the patient is referred by a medical practitioner who is a Member or a Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists or who has a Diploma of Obstetrics or has a qualification recognised by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists as being equivalent to a Diploma of Obstetrics or has obstetric privileges at a non-metropolitan hospital; and
  2. the dating of the pregnancy (as confirmed by ultrasound) is 17 to 22 weeks of gestation; and
  3. the service is not associated with a service to which an item in Subgroup 2 or 3 of this group applies; and
  4. the referring practitioner is not a member of a group of practitioners of which the providing practitioner is a member; and
  5. further examination is clinically indicated in the same pregnancy to which item 55706 applies
Pregnancy 17-22 weeks only
55718PELVIS or ABDOMEN, pregnancy related or pregnancy complication, fetal development and anatomy, ultrasound scan of, by any or all approaches, where:
     
  1. the dating of the pregnancy (as confirmed by ultrasound) is after 22 weeks of gestation; and
  2. the service is not performed in the same pregnancy as item 55723
Pregnancy >22 weeks only and only 1 per pregnancy
55721

Specialist Referral Only

PELVIS or ABDOMEN, pregnancy related or pregnancy complication, fetal development and anatomy, ultrasound scan of by any or all approaches, where:
     
  1. the patient is referred by a medical practitioner who is a Member or a Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists or who has a Diploma of Obstetrics or has qualifications recognised by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstericians and Gynaecologists as being equivalent to a Diploma of obstetrics or has obstetric privileges at a non-metropolitan hospital; and
  2. the dating of the pregnancy (as confirmed by ultrasound) is after 22 weeks of gestation; and
  3. further examination is clinically indicated in the same pregnancy to which item 55718 applies
Pregnancy >22 weeks only
55759PELVIS or ABDOMEN, pregnancy related or pregnancy complication, fetal development and anatomy, ultrasound scan of, by any or all approaches, with measurement of all parameters for dating purposes, where:
     
  1. ultrasound of the same pregnancy confirms a multiple pregnancy; and
  2. the dating of the pregnancy (as confirmed by ultrasound) is 17 to 22 weeks gestation; and
  3. the service mentioned in item 55706, 55709, 55712, 55715 or 55762 is not performed in conjunction with the scan during the same pregnancy
Multiple Pregnancy 17-22 weeks only and only 1 per pregnancy
55764

Specialist Referral Only

PELVIS or ABDOMEN, pregnancy related or pregnancy complication, fetal development and anatomy, ultrasound scan of, by any or all approaches, with measurement of all parameters for dating purposes, where:
     
  1. the patient is referred by a medical practitioner who is a Member or Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists or who has a Diploma of Obstetrics or has a qualification recognised by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstericians and Gynaecologists as equivalent to a Diploma of obstetrics or has obstetric privileges at a non-metropolitan hospital; and
  2. ultrasound of the same pregnancy confirms a multiple pregnancy; and
  3. the dating of the pregnancy (as confirmed by ultrasound) is 17 to 22 weeks gestation; and
  4. further examination is clinically indicated in the same pregnancy to which item 55759 has been performed; and
  5. not performed in conjunction with item 55706 or 55712 during the same pregnancy
Multiple Pregnancy 17-22 weeks only
57768PELVIS or ABDOMEN, pregnancy related or pregnancy complication, fetal development and anatomy, ultrasound scan of, by any or all approaches, where:
     
  1. dating of the pregnancy (as confirmed by ultrasound) is after 22 weeks of gestation; and
  2. the ultrasound confirms a multiple pregnancy; and
  3. the patient is referred by a medical practitioner; and
  4. the service is not performed in the same pregnancy as item 55770; and
  5. the service is not performed in conjunction with item 55718 or 55721 during the same pregnancy
Multiple Pregnancy >22 weeks only and only 1 per pregnancy
55772

Specialist Referral Only

PELVIS or ABDOMEN, pregnancy related or pregnancy complication, fetal development and anatomy, ultrasound scan of, by any or all approaches, where:
     
  1. dating of the pregnancy as confirmed by ultrasound is after 22 weeks of gestation; and
  2. the patient is referred by a medical practitioner who is a Member or Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists or who has a Diploma of Obstetrics or has a qualification recognised by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstericians and Gynaecologists as equivalent to a Diploma of obstetrics or has obstetric privileges at a non-metropolitan hospital; and
  3. further examination is clinically indicated in the same pregnancy to which item 55768 or 55770 has been performed; and
  4. the pregnancy as confirmed by ultrasound is a multiple pregnancy; and
  5. the service is not performed in conjunction with item 55718 or 55721 during the same pregnancy
Multiple Pregnancy >22 weeks only

Ultrasound

 

Musculoskeletal Ultrasound

The applicable criteria must be written on the referral for the patient to be eligible for rebate or Bulk Billed.

 

Shoulder / Upper Arm

Benefits are NOT payable when referred for non-specific PAIN alone.

 

Rebatable Criteria:

  • Evaluation of injury to tendon, muscle or muscle/tendon junction; or
  • Rotator cuff tear/calcification/tendinosis (biceps, subscapular, supraspinatus, infraspinatus); or
  • Biceps subluxation; or
  • Capsulitis and bursitis; or
  • Evaluation of mass including ganglion; or
  • Occult fracture; or
  • Acromioclavicular joint pathology

 

Knee

Benefits are NOT payable when referred for non-specific knee PAIN alone or other knee condition including:

  • Meniscal and cruciate ligament tears
  • Assessment of chondral surfaces

 

Rebatable Criteria:

  • Abnormality of tendons orbursae about the knee; or
  • Meniscal cyst, popliteal fossa cyst, mass; or
  • Pseudomass; or
  • Nerve entrapment, nerve or nerve sheath tumour; or
  • Injury of collateral ligaments

 

General Ultrasound

Medicare will NOT rebate the second examination when performed on the same day.

  • Ultrasound Doppler with Ultrasound Musculoskeletal Knee, lower leg, ankle or foot
  • Ultrasound Abdomen with Ultrasound Renal
  • Ultrasound Pelvis with Ultrasound Renal
  • Ultrasound Musculoskeletal Bilateral
  • Ultrasound Pelvis with Ultrasound Pregnancy

Medicare will NOW rebate the second examination when performed on the same day.

    • Ultrasound Pelvis with Ultrasound Abdomen 
    • Ultrasound Doppler with Ultrasound General.