News

MBS Explanatory Notes Updated

The Department of Human Services has updated its Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) explanatory notes to provide clarity in relation to charging co-payments when bulk billing. The update reiterates that no additional charges can be raised for bulk billed services. This includes, but is not limited to, any consumables such as bandages or dressings, record keeping fees, a booking fee or an annual administration or registration fee.

However, the explanatory notes further clarify that practitioners can, in place of bulk billing a patient, charge a fee that is equal to the rebate for the service and then also raise an additional charge (such as for a consumable).