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Important News

Synovial Joint Injections

The removal of synovial joint injection items, 50124 and 50125, from the Medicare Benefits Schedule was announced in the May 2009 Federal Budget and came into effect on 1 November 2009. This was done without consultation with the profession.

The Australian Rheumatology Association has been active in encouraging their colleagues and patients to contact their local member of Parliament in an effort to have the decision to remove items 50124 and 50125 from the MBS reversed.

The AACP has previously its concerns with the Department of Health and Ageing and will continue to push for reinstatement of this item for consultant physicians.

The timing and interpretation of MBS Items 132 and 133

The AACP sought advice from the Department of Health and Ageing on the proper use of items 132 and 133 after being contacted by some members who had their claims rejected by Medicare Australia. The AACP have received the following statement:

“Item 132 can be billed once, and 133 can be claimed twice within a twelve month period.
The twelve-month period commences from the date of the initial consult under item 132, and both of the 133s must be claimed within 12 months from the date item 132 was claimed.
The frequency restrictions are considered to be rolling restrictions and not based on calendar or financial years. Medicare Australia has confirmed that their system is set up to allow only one claim per patient per provider of item 132 in a twelve-month period and two 133s within the same period.”