New Medicare Benefits Schedule Item

The Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) has notified USANZ of an upcoming change to the General Medical Services Table (GMST) of the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS).

From 1 May 2020, Medicare rebates will be available for a new item for prostate biopsy when guided by MRI. The new item (37226) is for needle biopsy of the prostate or prostatic bed, using prostatic MRI techniques, where 1 or more prostatic specimens are obtained. The fee for this service is $285.35. This biopsy item will be able to be provided by specialists and consultant physicians.  The new item is a GMST item.

This change is intended to provide an alternative to prostate biopsy under ultrasound guidance (item 37219) and provide medical practitioners flexibility to choose the most appropriate imaging modality to guide a prostate biopsy.

The Fact Sheet is available at MBS Online.