The RACGP appreciates that members may be concerned about the changes outlined in this update, particularly the changes to Chronic Disease Management items. Please note we are raising these concerns with the Minister for Health and Department of Health, Disability and Ageing as a matter of priority.
Indexation
The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing has announced that from 1 July 2025 an indexation factor of 2.4% will be applied to most MBS general medical services items, most diagnostic imaging services and most pathology items in Group P12.
The RACGP’s MBS online tool will be updated on 1 July to provide a full list of indexed MBS rebates.
Chronic disease management items
From 1 July 2025 existing items for GP Management Plans (229, 721, 92024, 92055), Team Care Arrangements (230, 723, 92025, 92056) and reviews (233, 732, 92028, 92059) will cease and be replaced with new GP Chronic Condition Management Plan (GPCCMP) items (outlined in the table below). Both of the items for preparing a plan and reviewing a plan will have the same rebate of $156.55.
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Item description
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MBS item number (GP)
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MBS item number (prescribed medical practitioner)
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Prepare a GP chronic condition
management plan – face to face
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965
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392
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Prepare a GP chronic condition
management plan – video
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92029
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92060
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Review a GP chronic condition
management plan – face to face
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967
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393
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Review a GP chronic condition
management plan – video
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92030
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92061
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Where patients are registered for MyMedicare, they will need to receive their GPCCMP from their registered provider. Patients who are not registered for MyMedicare can receive these services from their usual GP.
Requirements for referring a patient to an allied health service have been simplified so that the requirement to consult with at least two collaborating providers and requirements for existing referral forms have been removed. GPs can refer to an allied health service through referral letters, like how they refer patients to non-GP specialists.
Patients that had a GP Management Plan and/or Team Care Arrangement in place prior to 1 July 2025 will be able to continue to access services consistent with those plans for two years. From 1 July 2027, a GPCCMP will be required for ongoing access to allied health services.
These changes do not affect multidisciplinary care plan items (231, 232, 729, 731, 92026, 92027, 92057, 92058).
For More information, please see the below resources:
RACGP Summary of changes to Chronic Disease Management (CDM) Framework
Upcoming Changes to Chronic Disease Management Framework – Overview MBS fact sheet.
COVID-19 support items
From 1 July 2025, MBS COVID-19 vaccine support items will no longer be available. The item numbers that will cease are 93644, 93645, 93646, 93647, 93653, 93654, 93655, 93656, 10660, 10661, 93660, 93661, and 90005.
GPs looking to offer COVID-19 vaccinations, vaccine assessments and vaccine counselling will need to do so with existing standard items (MBS item 23, 36 etc). This means that bulk billing will no longer be mandatory for COVID-19 vaccinations, vaccine assessments or vaccine counselling. This also means the triple bulk billing incentive can be co-claimed where these services are provided by billing a standard consultation item.
Heart health assessment items
As part of the 2025-26 federal budget, the government has agreed to extend access to temporary Heart Health Assessment items (MBS items 699 and 177). These items will be extended for the next three years, after which they are due to expire.
Pathology changes
Urine testing
From 1 July 2025 the MBS item for urine testing (69333) will be amended to reduce clinically unnecessary testing by requiring that asymptomatic urine testing only be performed when clinically indicated. This amendment stipulates that urine testing and examination (including serial examinations) are only required when symptoms of a urinary tract infection or kidney disease are present.
Exception to this amendment is made for specified patient groups who may be asymptomatic, including those who are:
- Pregnant
- Less than 16 years of age
- Recipients of renal transplants
- Suffering from recurrent urinary tract infections
- Being investigated or monitored for kidney disease
- Undergoing urinary tract instrumentation, urological procedures, or transurethral resection of the prostate
More information can be found in the Amendments to Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) for urine testing in asymptomatic patients fact sheet.
Vitamin B12 testing
From 1 July 2025 MBS items for vitamin B12 testing (66838 and 66839) will be amended to clarify the appropriate testing pathway for these items. An 11-month frequency restriction will be implemented on the quantification of vitamin B12 markers such as homocysteine or methylmalonic acid (MBS item 66839).
A new exception item for B12 testing will be introduced to enable more frequent testing for those with clinical need.
More information can be found in the Amendments to Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) for Vitamin B12 testing factsheet.