Commonwealth Coat of Arms of Australia

 

Health Insurance Legislation Amendment (2018 Measures No. 1) Regulations 2018

I, General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd), GovernorGeneral of the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, make the following regulations.

Dated 19 April 2018

Peter Cosgrove

GovernorGeneral

By His Excellencys Command

Greg Hunt

Minister for Health

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contents

1 Name

2 Commencement

3 Authority

4 Schedules

Schedule 1—Amendments

Health Insurance (Diagnostic Imaging Services Table) Regulations 2017

Health Insurance (General Medical Services Table) Regulations 2017

Health Insurance Regulations 1975

1  Name

  This instrument is the Health Insurance Legislation Amendment (2018 Measures No. 1) Regulations 2018.

2  Commencement

 (1) Each provision of this instrument specified in column 1 of the table commences, or is taken to have commenced, in accordance with column 2 of the table. Any other statement in column 2 has effect according to its terms.

 

Commencement information

Column 1

Column 2

Column 3

Provisions

Commencement

Date/Details

1.  The whole of this instrument

1 May 2018.

1 May 2018

Note: This table relates only to the provisions of this instrument as originally made. It will not be amended to deal with any later amendments of this instrument.

 (2) Any information in column 3 of the table is not part of this instrument. Information may be inserted in this column, or information in it may be edited, in any published version of this instrument.

3  Authority

  This instrument is made under the Health Insurance Act 1973.

4  Schedules

  Each instrument that is specified in a Schedule to this instrument is amended or repealed as set out in the applicable items in the Schedule concerned, and any other item in a Schedule to this instrument has effect according to its terms.

Schedule 1Amendments

 

Health Insurance (Diagnostic Imaging Services Table) Regulations 2017

1  Subclause 2.4.2(1) of Schedule 1

Omit 61646, substitute 61647.

2  Schedule 1 (item 61369)

Repeal the item, substitute:

 

61369

Indiumlabelled octreotide study (including single photon emission tomography when undertaken), if:

(a) a gastroenteropancreatic endocrine tumour is suspected on the basis of biochemical evidence with negative or equivocal conventional imaging; or

(b) both:

(i) a surgically amenable gastroenteropancreatic endocrine tumour has been identified on the basis of conventional techniques; and

(ii) the study is to exclude additional disease sites

(R) (K)

2,015.75

3  Schedule 1 (after item 61646)

Insert:

 

61647

Whole body 68GaDOTApeptide PET study (including any associated computed tomography scans for anatomic localisation and attenuation correction), if:

(a) a gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumour is suspected on the basis of biochemical evidence with negative or equivocal conventional imaging; or

(b) both:

(i) a surgically amenable gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumour has been identified on the basis of conventional techniques; and

(ii) the study is for excluding additional disease sites

(R)

1,053.00

4  Schedule 1 (item 61671)

Repeal the item, substitute:

 

61671

Indiumlabelled octreotide study (including single photon emission tomography when undertaken), if:

(a) a gastroenteropancreatic endocrine tumour is suspected on the basis of biochemical evidence with negative or equivocal conventional imaging; or

(b) both:

(i) a surgically amenable gastroenteropancreatic endocrine tumour has been identified on the basis of conventional techniques; and

(ii) the study is to exclude additional disease sites

(R) (NK)

1,007.90

5  Subclause 2.5.1(1) of Schedule 1

Omit “Items 63001 to 63467, 63487 to 63490, 63470 to 63486 and 63740 to 63747”, substitute “The items in Subgroups 1 to 21”.

6  Subclause 2.5.1(2) of Schedule 1

Omit “Items 63457, 63458, 63464 to 63467, 63487 to 63490, 63470 to 63484 and 63740 to 63747”, substitute “Items 63395 to 63398 and the items in Subgroups 19, 20 and 21 (other than items 63455 and 63461)”.

7  Subclause 2.5.1(3) of Schedule 1

Omit “Items 63491 to 63497”, substitute “The items in Subgroup 22”.

8  Subclause 2.5.1(4) of Schedule 1

Omit “Items 63507 to 63561”, substitute “The items in Subgroups 33 and 34”.

9  Clause 2.5.4 of Schedule 1

Repeal the clause, substitute:

2.5.4  MRI and MRA services—eligible provider

  A person mentioned in column 2 of an item of the following table is an eligible provider for an MRI or MRA service mentioned in column 1 of the item.

 

Eligible providers

Item

Column 1

MRA or MRA service

Column 2

Person

1

A service to which none of items 63395 to 63398 apply

A person who:

(a) is a specialist in diagnostic radiology; and

(b) satisfies the Chief Executive Medicare that the specialist is a participant in the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists Quality and Accreditation Program

2

A service to which any of items 63395 to 63398 apply

A person who is:

(a) a specialist in diagnostic radiology or a consultant physician; and

(b) recognised by the Conjoint Committee for Certification in Cardiac MRI

10  Clause 2.5.9 of Schedule 1

Repeal the clause, substitute:

2.5.9  MRI or MRA services—application of items to related services provided in same period

  An MRI or MRA item does not apply to a service provided to a person if:

 (a) the MRI or MRA item is specified in column 1 of an item (the table item) of the following table; and

 (b) during the period (the limitation period):

 (i) specified in column 2 of the table item; and

 (ii) ending immediately before the service is provided;

  the person was provided with one or more services (the earlier services) to which any of the MRI or MRA items mentioned in the table item applied; and

 (c) the number of earlier services provided to the person in the limitation period was equal to the maximum number specified in column 3 of the table item.

 

Related services

Item

Column 1

MRI or MRA items

Column 2

Limitation period

Column 3

Maximum number of services

1

63040 to 63085

12 months

3

2

63101 and 63104

12 months

3

3

63125 to 63136

12 months

3

4

63161 to 63194

12 months

3

5

63219 to 63265

12 months

3

6

63271 to 63285

12 months

3

7

63322 to 63348

12 months

3

8

63361 and 63364

12 months

2

9

63385 to 63394

12 months

2

10

63395 and 63396

12 months

1

11

63397 and 63398

36 months

1

12

63401 to 63408

12 months

3

13

63416 and 63419

12 months

1

14

63425 to 63433

12 months

2

15

63455 to 63467

12 months

1

16

63547 and 63548

patient’s lifetime

1

17

63482 and 63486

12 months

3

18

63507 to 63523 and 63551 to 63561

12 months

3

11  Schedule 1 (at the end of Subgroup 14 of Group I5)

Add:

 

63395

MRI—scan of cardiovascular system for assessment of myocardial structure and function involving:

(a) dedicated right ventricular views; and

(b) 3D volumetric assessment of the right ventricle; and

(c) reporting of enddiastolic and endsystolic volumes, ejection fraction and BSAindexed values;

if the request for the scan indicates that:

(d) the patient presented with symptoms consistent with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC); or

(e) investigative findings in relation to the patient are consistent with ARVC

(R) (K) (Anaes.) (Contrast)

855.20

63396

MRI—scan of cardiovascular system for assessment of myocardial structure and function involving:

(a) dedicated right ventricular views; and

(b) 3D volumetric assessment of the right ventricle; and

(c) reporting of enddiastolic and endsystolic volumes, ejection fraction and BSAindexed values;

if the request for the scan indicates that:

(d) the patient presented with symptoms consistent with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC); or

(e) investigative findings in relation to the patient are consistent with ARVC

(R) (NK) (Anaes.) (Contrast)

427.60

63397

MRI—scan of cardiovascular system for assessment of myocardial structure and function involving:

(a) dedicated right ventricular views; and

(b) 3D volumetric assessment of the right ventricle; and

(c) reporting of enddiastolic and endsystolic volumes, ejection fraction and BSAindexed values;

if the request for the scan indicates that the patient:

(d) is asymptomatic; and

(e) has one or more first degree relatives diagnosed with confirmed arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC)

(R) (K) (Anaes.) (Contrast)

855.20

63398

MRI—scan of cardiovascular system for assessment of myocardial structure and function involving:

(a) dedicated right ventricular views; and

(b) 3D volumetric assessment of the right ventricle; and

(c) reporting of enddiastolic and endsystolic volumes, ejection fraction and BSAindexed values;

if the request for the scan indicates that the patient:

(d) is asymptomatic; and

(e) has one or more first degree relatives diagnosed with confirmed arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC)

(R) (NK) (Anaes.) (Contrast)

427.60

12  Schedule 1 (at the end of Subgroup 19 of Group I5)

Add:

 

63547

MRI—scan of both breasts for the detection of cancer, if:

(a) a dedicated breast coil is used; and

(b) the request for scan identifies that:

(i) the patient has a breast implant in situ; and

(ii) anaplastic large cell lymphoma has been diagnosed

(R) (K) (Anaes.) (Contrast)

690.00

63548

MRI—scan of both breasts for the detection of cancer, if:

(a) a dedicated breast coil is used; and

(b) the request for scan identifies that:

(i) the patient has a breast implant in situ; and

(ii) anaplastic large cell lymphoma has been diagnosed

(R) (NK) (Anaes.) (Contrast)

345.00

13  Clause 3.1 of Schedule 1 (definition of scan)

Omit “63567”, substitute “63561 and 63740 to 63747”.

Health Insurance (General Medical Services Table) Regulations 2017

14  Subclause 1.2.5(1) of Schedule 1

After “11724,”, insert “11728,”.

15  Schedule 1 (at the end of Subgroup 6 of Group D1)

Add:

 

11728

Implanted loop recording for the investigation of atrial fibrillation if the patient to whom the service is provided has been diagnosed as having had an embolic stroke of undetermined source, including reprogramming when required, retrieval of stored data, analysis, interpretation and report, other than a service to which item 38288 applies

For any particular patient—applicable not more than 4 times in any 12 months

34.75

16  Schedule 1 (item 15565, column headed Description, subparagraphs (b)(iii) and (iv))

Repeal the subparagraphs, substitute:

(iii) validating the accuracy of the derived IMRT dosimetry plan; and

17  Schedule 1 (items 30481 to 30483)

Repeal the items, substitute:

 

30481

Percutaneous gastrostomy (initial procedure):

(a) including any associated imaging services; and

(b) excluding the insertion of a device for the purpose of facilitating weight loss

(Anaes.)

357.00

30482

Percutaneous gastrostomy (repeat procedure):

(a) including any associated imaging services; and

(b) excluding the insertion of a device for the purpose of facilitating weight loss

(Anaes.)

253.85

30483

Gastrostomy button, caecostomy antegrade enema device (chait etc.) or stomal indwelling device:

(a) nonendoscopic insertion of; or

(b) nonendoscopic replacement of;

on a person 10 years of age or over, excluding the insertion of a device for the purpose of facilitating weight loss (Anaes.)

177.05

18  Schedule 1 (items 32520 to 32526)

Repeal the items, substitute:

 

32520

Varicose veins, abolition of venous reflux by occlusion of a primary or recurrent great (long) or small (short) saphenous vein of one leg (and major tributaries of saphenous veins as necessary), using a laser probe introduced by an endovenous catheter, if it is documented by duplex ultrasound that the great or small saphenous vein (whichever is to be treated) demonstrates reflux of 0.5 seconds or longer:

(a) including all preparation and immediate clinical aftercare (including excision or injection of either tributaries or incompetent perforating veins, or both); and

(b) not including radiofrequency diathermy, radiofrequency ablation or cyanoacrylate embolisation; and

(c) not provided on the same occasion as a service described in any of items 32500, 32501, 32504 and 32507

(Anaes.)

533.60

32522

Varicose veins, abolition of venous reflux by occlusion of a primary or recurrent great (long) and small (short) saphenous vein of one leg (and major tributaries of saphenous veins as necessary), using a laser probe introduced by an endovenous catheter, if it is documented by duplex ultrasound that the great and small saphenous veins demonstrate reflux of 0.5 seconds or longer:

(a) including all preparation and immediate clinical aftercare (including excision or injection of either tributaries or incompetent perforating veins, or both); and

(b) not including radiofrequency diathermy, radiofrequency ablation or cyanoacrylate embolisation; and

(c) not provided on the same occasion as a service described in any of items 32500, 32501, 32504 and 32507

(Anaes.)

793.30

32523

Varicose veins, abolition of venous reflux by occlusion of a primary or recurrent great (long) or small (short) saphenous vein of one leg (and major tributaries of saphenous veins as necessary), using a radiofrequency catheter introduced by an endovenous catheter, if it is documented by duplex ultrasound that the great or small saphenous vein (whichever is to be treated) demonstrates reflux of 0.5 seconds or longer:

(a) including all preparation and immediate clinical aftercare (including excision or injection of either tributaries or incompetent perforating veins, or both); and

(b) not including endovenous laser therapy or cyanoacrylate embolisation; and

(c) not provided on the same occasion as a service described in any of items 32500, 32501, 32504 and 32507

(Anaes.)

533.60

32526

Varicose veins, abolition of venous reflux by occlusion of a primary or recurrent great (long) and small (short) saphenous vein of one leg (and major tributaries of saphenous veins as necessary), using a radiofrequency catheter introduced by an endovenous catheter, if it is documented by duplex ultrasound that the great and small saphenous veins demonstrate reflux of 0.5 seconds or longer:

(a) including all preparation and immediate clinical aftercare (including excision or injection of either tributaries or incompetent perforating veins, or both); and

(b) not including endovenous laser therapy or cyanoacrylate embolisation; and

(c) not provided on the same occasion as a service described in any of items 32500, 32501, 32504 and 32507

(Anaes.)

793.30

32528

Varicose veins, abolition of venous reflux by occlusion of a primary or recurrent great (long) or small (short) saphenous vein of one leg (and major tributaries of saphenous veins as necessary), using cyanoacrylate adhesive, if it is documented by duplex ultrasound that the great or small saphenous vein (whichever is to be treated) demonstrates reflux of 0.5 seconds or longer:

(a) including all preparation and immediate clinical aftercare (including excision or injection of either tributaries or incompetent perforating veins, or both); and

(b) not including radiofrequency diathermy, radiofrequency ablation or endovenous laser therapy; and

(c) not provided on the same occasion as a service described in any of items 32500, 32501, 32504 and 32507

(Anaes.)

533.60

32529

Varicose veins, abolition of venous reflux by occlusion of a primary or recurrent great (long) and small (short) saphenous vein of one leg (and major tributaries of saphenous veins as necessary), using cyanoacrylate adhesive, if it is documented by duplex ultrasound that the great and small saphenous veins demonstrate reflux of 0.5 seconds or longer:

(a) including all preparation and immediate clinical aftercare (including excision or injection of either tributaries or incompetent perforating veins, or both); and

(b) not including radiofrequency diathermy, radiofrequency ablation or endovenous laser therapy; and

(c) not provided on the same occasion as a service described in any of items 32500, 32501, 32504 and 32507

(Anaes.)

793.30

19  Schedule 1 (item 34103, column headed “Description”)

Omit “or 32526”, substitute “, 32526, 32528 or 32529”.

20  Schedule 1 (after item 38287)

Insert:

 

38288

Implantable loop recorder, insertion of, for diagnosis of atrial fibrillation, if:

(a) the patient to whom the service is provided has been diagnosed as having had an embolic stroke of undetermined source; and

(b) the bases of the diagnosis included the following:

(i) the medical history of the patient;

(ii) physical examination;

(iii) brain and carotid imaging;

(iv) cardiac imaging;

(v) surface ECG testing including 24hour Holter monitoring; and

(c) atrial fibrillation is suspected; and

(d) the patient:

(i) does not have a permanent indication for oral anticoagulants; or

(ii) does not have a permanent oral anticoagulants contraindication;

including initial programming and testing (Anaes.)

192.90

21  Schedule 1 (after item 42651)

Insert:

 

42652

Corneal collagen cross linking, on a person with a corneal ectatic disorder, with evidence of progression—per eye (Anaes.)

1,200.00

Health Insurance Regulations 1975

22  Subregulation 20C(1) (table item 12, column 2)

Omit “61646”, substitute “61647”.

23  Subregulation 20C(1) (table items 13 and 14, column 3)

Omit “61646”, substitute “61647”.