New medical services under MBS

Three new medical services will be listed on the Medical Benefits Scheme on 1 November 2012.

The procedures included surgery to insert artificial intervertebral discs for patients with spinal conditions, an endoscopic procedure for patients with pre-cancerous lesions in their oesophagus and a genetic test to detect a hereditary condition associated with retinal and other tumours.

The additions to the MBS were made possible following the development of new medical technologies.

The new listings will benefit:

• More than 400 people a year who will undergo a new surgical approach to managing cervical spine instability by inserting artificial discs.

• About 100 people a year who need radiofrequency ablation to treat Barrett’s Oesophagus. This endoscopic procedure will replace the need for an invasive oesophagectomy in patients who have pre-cancerous changes in the lining of the oesophagus and are at risk of developing oesophageal cancer.

• More than 40 people a year who require a gene test to detect the hereditary mutation of von Hippel-Lindau disease. The disease is associated with tumours of the retina and central nervous system and cysts in various organs.

The three new services have been approved for listing on Medicare based on the recommendations made of the Medical Services Advisory Committee.

28 June 2012.