MBS now available online

The Minister for Health and Ageing, Tony Aboott MHR today announced that Medicare scheduled fees and benefits will henceforward be available via a new website - MBS Online.

According to the Department of Health and Ageing, changes have been made to the allied health and dental care items within the MBS as at 1 November 2005:
- The referral form has been modified and a copy will no longer be required to accompany Medicare claims. Refer explanatory note A.23.19 -23.21.
- The method of counting patient eligibility for services will change from 1 January 2006. Refer explanatory note A.23.23.
- The requirements for written reports back to the referring medical practitioner have changed. Refer explanatory note A.23.27.
- Links between new chronic disease management items (721-731) introduced on 1 July 2005 and access to Medicare rebates for eligible allied health and dental care services (items 10950-10977) are outlined in Explanatory notes A22 - 22.51.

Dentists wanting to advise medical practitioners on use of the Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) Program Referral Form for Dental Care under Medicare, should refer them to this link
Referral Form for Dental Care under Medicare (PDF 89 KB)

or suggest that they fax their request to (02) 6289 7120.