The Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS or the Schedule) together with the Diagnostic Imaging Service Table (a tabular list of Medicare-subsidised diagnostic imaging services) provides up-to-date information about the current arrangements for the payment of Medicare benefits under the Health Insurance Act 1973.
The MBS is an up-to-date record of Medicare subsidised items and the conditions of their use including:
- Medicare Benefit Schedule fee (the $ fee set by government). Note, diagnostic imaging providers are entitled to set their own fees. Therefore the actual fee charged may be different to the Schedule fee.
- Medicare benefit (the $ amount that you can expect to get back from Medicare)
- description of the service
- provider requirements (if any)
- referral requirements (if any).
Medicare diagnostic imaging item categories
| TECHNOLOGY | Category 5 | MBS Item numbers |
|---|---|---|
| Ultrasounds | Group 11 | 55005-55855 |
| Computed Tomography (CT) | Group 12 | 56001-57361 |
| Diagnostic radiology (including x-ray) | Group 13 | 57506-61110 |
| Nuclear medicine (including PET) | Group 14 | 61302-61729 |
| MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) | Group 15 | 63001-63523 |
| Management of bulk-billed services | Group 16 | 64990-64991 |
For more information see MBS Online.