Important Notice to Fellows

All ophthalmologists practising in Australia who perform intravitreal and/or subTenons injections of therapeutic substances (using item numbers 42740 or 42741) are advised to read paragraph T.7.2. on page 233 of the latest Medicare Benefits Schedule Book, available online at http://www.health.gov.au/mbsonline

 T.7.2. GENERAL DEFINITION OF THERAPEUTIC SUBSTANCE (18216, 18219, 18222, 18225, 18226, 18227, 18228, 22031, 22036 42740, AND 42741)

Where an item specifies the use of a 'therapeutic substance' this refers to the administration, as part of a medical service, of a therapeutic substance registered by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for the clinical indication for which it is being administered.

Ophthalmologists using intravitreal or subTenons therapy must consider the implications of the above definition on individual patients' eligibility to receive Medicare rebates for these therapies.

 The above change to the MBS Schedule was undertaken without consultation with RANZCO. The College made early representations to the Department of Health and Ageing to redress the negative impacts of the decision.  The representations were accepted but will require time to reverse.  The College continues to remind the Department of the need to resolve the issue.