MBS Archives - Insight

Agreement to strengthen MBS review process and informed financial consent

Myles Hume — Tue, 22 Jun 2021 21:51:25 +0000

Optometry retains some of the highest bulk-billing rates of any profession, at around 94%.

The Federal Government and the Australian Medical Association (AMA) have agreed to co-design administrative processes for implementing upcoming changes to Medicare and allow patients the time for informed
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Public MIGS funding a step closer for iTrack in Australia

Myles Hume — Thu, 18 Feb 2021 20:51:17 +0000

Canaloplasty targets the main sites of outflow resistance in glaucoma: the trabecular meshwork, Schlemm’s canal, and distal collector channels.

Nova Eye Medical has announced an application to secure public funding for its iTrack ab-interno canaloplasty as a standalone minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) procedure in Australia has formally
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MBS eye injections plan could spell disaster for public system, ophthalmologist warns

Myles Hume — Tue, 19 Jan 2021 21:45:24 +0000

Dr Mark Chehade, Head of Unit at the Royal Adelaide Hospital.

The head of ophthalmic surgery at a major public hospital says the current Medicare fee for intravitreal injections only creates a slim profit and plans to slash it by two thirds would trigger a flood
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MBS Taskforce keeps controversial eye injection proposals in final report

Myles Hume — Thu, 17 Dec 2020 20:48:47 +0000

Two contentious proposals related to intravitreal injections have remained in the final report.

Despite vehement opposition from ophthalmologists, the MBS Taskforce has forged ahead with plans to cut the rebate for intravitreal injections and consider allowing nurses and optometrists to perform the
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Evidence-based telehealth guidance in the works

Myles Hume — Tue, 18 Aug 2020 22:15:17 +0000

Telehealth and remote access to health are growing in popularity and use in Australia. Image: Miriam Doerr Martin Frommherz/Shutterstock.com

Optometry Australia (OA) is working with a group of optometrists with expertise in telehealth to develop evidence-based advice on appropriate use of the technology, as it continues to advocate for specific
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Optometry fees lag despite Medicare indexation

Myles Hume — Tue, 07 Jul 2020 00:02:46 +0000

Compliance issues stem from Medicare's complexity.

Medicare fees for all optometry items have increased 1.5% this month as part of reintroduced annual indexation, however advocates warn that scheduled fees still come in at less than half the actual cost
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Telehealth Medicare expansion to cover allied health

rhiannon bowman — Tue, 24 Mar 2020 06:15:12 +0000

Health Minister Greg Hunt says Australia cannot risk a reduction in the standard of medical care.

Telehealth Medicare items will be expanded to encompass allied health professionals, such as optometrists, by Monday as the Federal Government works to maintain access to healthcare amid the COVID-19 crisis. Federal
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Women and children feature prominently in record 10 million eye exams

rhiannon bowman — Tue, 10 Mar 2020 06:00:37 +0000

Health Minister Greg Hunt says Australia cannot risk a reduction in the standard of medical care.

New figures have revealed Australian optometrists performed a record number of Medicare consultations last year, while children’s vision assessments increased at a greater rate than population growth. Optometry
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Questions over economic viability of MBS proposals

Myles Hume — Tue, 04 Feb 2020 03:08:17 +0000

Proposed cuts to the rebate and fee for intravitreal injections will impact bulk billing services and access to treatment, Australia’s ophthalmic sector has warned. Optometry Australia (OA) has also
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Public funding for standalone MIGS procedures a step closer

Myles Hume — Tue, 03 Dec 2019 21:49:07 +0000

Elective eye surgery provision may be paused as the COVID-19 crisis continues to worsen.

Government advisors have recommended minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) should be publicly funded as a standalone procedure, following extensive campaigning from Australia’s ophthalmic community. Almost
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