Advanced breast biopsy instrumentation recognition for Medicare 012-42020020

A surgeon performing this procedure must have evidence of appropriate training in a course approved by the Breast Section of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, and have experience in the procedure.

A surgeon wanting to provide Medicare services under Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) items 31539 or 31545 should contact the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons to request that the College advise their eligibility in writing (via post, fax or email) to the Specialist Recognition helpdesk.

The advice must be given by an authorised representative of the College and state:

• the full name of the surgeon
• the surgeon's Medicare provider number
• confirmation that the surgeon meets the skill requirements to perform the relevant items (31539 and 31545)
• the date eligibility commences

Note:

• access to the items is granted in accordance with the College advice
• the commencement date of eligibility is the date advised by the College

Services Australia notifies the surgeon when the College advice is received and their provider number details are updated to record eligibility and the effective date.

A radiologist who is eligible to provide this service must be identified by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists as having sufficient training and experience in this procedure.

A radiologist wanting to provide Medicare services under Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) item 31542 should contact the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologist to request that the College advise their eligibility in writing (via post, fax or email) to the Specialist Recognition helpdesk.

The advice must be given by an authorised representative of the College and state:

• the full name of the radiologist
• the provider number of the radiologist
• confirmation that the radiologist meets the skilled requirements to perform the relevant item (31542)
• the date eligibility commences

Note:

• access to the items is granted in accordance with the College advice
• the commencement date of eligibility is the date advised by the College

Services Australia notifies the surgeon when the College advice is received and their provider number details are updated to record eligibility and the effective date.

Eligibility enables payment of Medicare benefits for the relevant Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) items. Further information about the items and rules can be found in MBS Online.

The Resources page contains a link to MBS Online.

Payment of Medicare benefits for these services is subject to the medical practitioner being registered with the Medical Board of Australia and satisfying any other legislative provisions that may apply at the date of service.

See also: Provider registrations in PDS

Enquiries about assessing eligibility for Advanced Breast Biopsy Instrumentation should be directed to either:

• The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons
• The Royal Australasian College of Physicians

The Resources page contains links to these websites.

Enquiries about recording eligibility for Advanced Breast Biopsy Instrumentation should be directed to the Specialist Recognition helpdesk.