MBS - Changes to Items Related to Urology

From 1 March 2024, there will be several changes to the MBS. Our previous announcement about those changes is available on our website. 

There are 2 changes that are particularly relevant for USANZ members.

Various items relating to treatment of BPH

Two new MBS items will be introduced to treat patients for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH):

  • Item 37204 will be introduced for treating patients for BPH using prosthetic urethral lift (PUL)
  • Item 37205 will be introduced for treating patients for BPH using transurethral water vapour ablation (TUWA).

Four outdated items will be removed from the MBS:

  • Items 37230 and 37233 for transurethral microwave thermotherapy (TUMT)
  • Item 37202 for continuation of initial treatment for transurethral radio-frequency needle ablation (TUNA)
  • Item 37206 for continuation of initial treatment for transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP)

The introduction of the new items and the removal of the outdated items was supported by the Medical Services Advisory Committee (MSAC) in July 2022 and approved by Government for funding on the MBS in the 2023-24 Budget.

For more information, see the MBS Factsheet for this specific change.

Item 30662 relating to circumcision of a penis

Services provided under Item 30662 (Complex surgical repair following a complication from the circumcision of a penis, including single stage local flap, if indicated, to repair one defect, on genitals) will now attract an assistant benefit when an assistant surgeon has been required for the performance of the procedure.

That is, from 1 March 2024, the item description will change to ‘Complex surgical repair following a complication from the circumcision of a penis, including single stage local flap, if indicated, to repair one defect, on genitals (other than a service associated with a service to which item 37819, 37822, 45200, 45201, 45202, 45203 or 45206 applies) (H) (Assist.)’. The Australian Government supported this change in the 2023-24 Budget.

This follows the 1 November 2022 change, which saw items 30661 (Minor surgical repair following a complication from the circumcision of a penis) and 30662 listed on the MBS which implemented recommendation 3 of the MBS Review Taskforce for paediatric surgery services.

For more information, see the MBS News webpage.


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