New items from 21 July 2021
On 21 July 2021, six new MBS items for nicotine and smoking cessation counselling provided by GPs were introduced. There are face-to-face and telehealth items (video and phone) available, which are equivalent in value to Level B and C attendances.
The introduction of these items aligns with the Therapeutic Goods Administration’s (TGA) decision that, from 1 October 2021, e-cigarettes containing nicotine will be up-scheduled to a prescription only (schedule 4) medicine. Therapeutic interventions for the cessation of nicotine and smoking, including liquid nicotine, can be prescribed under these items if clinically relevant, subject to state and territory legislation.
The new items allow Medicare benefits to be paid for telehealth services relating to nicotine and smoking cessation counselling without the requirement for the patient to have an established clinical relationship with the GP.
These items are temporary and will cease on 30 June 2022.
Full item descriptors and rebates are outlined below. Visit MBS Online for more information.
Face-to-face services
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Item number
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Descriptor
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Rebate
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93680
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Professional attendance for nicotine and smoking cessation counselling, care and advice by a general practitioner at consulting rooms lasting less than 20 minutes and must include any of the following:
- taking a patient history, aimed at identifying disease risk factors attributable to nicotine use and smoking dependence, and/or identifying barriers and enablers to cessation; and
- completing an assessment of the patient’s nicotine dependence, including where clinically appropriate a basic physical examination; and
- initiating interventions and referrals for the cessation of nicotine, if required; and
- implementing a management plan for appropriate treatment; and
- providing the patient with nicotine and smoking cessation advice and information, including modifiable lifestyle factors;
with appropriate documentation
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$39.10
|
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93683
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Professional attendance for nicotine and smoking cessation counselling, care and advice by a general practitioner at consulting rooms lasting at least 20 minutes and must include any of the following:
- taking a patient history, aimed at identifying disease risk factors attributable to nicotine use and smoking dependence, and/or identifying barriers and enablers to cessation; and
- completing an assessment of the patient’s nicotine dependence, including where clinically appropriate a basic physical examination; and
- initiating interventions and referrals for the cessation of nicotine, if required; and
- implementing a management plan for appropriate treatment; and
- providing the patient with nicotine and smoking cessation advice and information, including modifiable lifestyle factors;
with appropriate documentation
|
$75.75
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Telehealth services (videoconference)
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Item number
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Descriptor
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Rebate
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93690
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Telehealth attendance for nicotine and smoking cessation counselling, care and advice by a general practitioner lasting less than 20 minutes and must include any of the following:
- taking a patient history, aimed at identifying disease risk factors attributable to nicotine use and smoking dependence, and/or identifying barriers and enablers to cessation; and
- completing an assessment of the patient’s nicotine dependence, including where clinically appropriate a basic physical examination; and
- initiating interventions and referrals for the cessation of nicotine, if required; and
- implementing a management plan for appropriate treatment; and
- providing the patient with nicotine and smoking cessation advice and information, including modifiable lifestyle factors;
with appropriate documentation.
|
$39.10
|
|
93693
|
Telehealth attendance for nicotine and smoking cessation counselling, care and advice by a general practitioner lasting at least 20 minutes and must include any of the following:
- taking a patient history, aimed at identifying disease risk factors attributable to nicotine use and smoking dependence, and/or identifying barriers and enablers to cessation; and
- completing an assessment of the patient’s nicotine dependence, including where clinically appropriate a basic physical examination; and
- initiating interventions and referrals for the cessation of nicotine, if required; and
- implementing a management plan for appropriate treatment; and
- providing the patient with nicotine and smoking cessation advice and information, including modifiable lifestyle factors;
with appropriate documentation.
|
$75.75
|
Telephone services
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Item number
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Descriptor
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Rebate
|
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93700
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Phone attendance for nicotine and smoking cessation counselling, care and advice by a general practitioner lasting less than 20 minutes and must include any of the following:
- taking a patient history, aimed at identifying disease risk factors attributable to nicotine use and smoking dependence, and/or identifying barriers and enablers to cessation; and
- completing an assessment of the patient’s nicotine dependence, including where clinically appropriate a basic physical examination; and
- initiating interventions and referrals for the cessation of nicotine, if required; and
- implementing a management plan for appropriate treatment; and
- providing the patient with nicotine and smoking cessation advice and information, including modifiable lifestyle factors;
with appropriate documentation.
|
$39.10
|
|
93703
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Phone attendance for nicotine and smoking cessation counselling, care and advice by a general practitioner lasting at least 20 minutes and must include any of the following:
- taking a patient history, aimed at identifying disease risk factors attributable to nicotine use and smoking dependence, and/or identifying barriers and enablers to cessation; and
- completing an assessment of the patient’s nicotine dependence, including where clinically appropriate a basic physical examination; and
- initiating interventions and referrals for the cessation of nicotine, if required; and
- implementing a management plan for appropriate treatment; and
- providing the patient with nicotine and smoking cessation advice and information, including modifiable lifestyle factors;
with appropriate documentation.
|
$75.75
|