Medicare Benefits Schedule - Note AN.0.1

The personal attendance of the medical practitioner upon the patient is necessary, before a "consultation" may be regarded as a professional attendance. In itemising a consultation covered by an item which refers to a period of time, only that time during which a patient is receiving active attention should be counted. Periods such as when a patient is resting between blood pressure readings, waiting for pupils to dilate after the instillation of a mydriatic, or receiving short wave therapy etc., should not be included in the time of the consultation. Similarly, the time taken by a doctor to travel to a patient's home should not be taken into consideration in the determination of the length of the consultation. While the doctor is free to charge a fee for "travel time" when patients are seen away from the surgery, benefits are payable only in respect of the time a patient is receiving active attention.

Related Items: 125 126

• Next - Note AN.0.2

Professional attendance lasting at least 45 minutes at consulting rooms or hospital, by a specialist in the practice of the specialist’s specialty of gynaecology, following referral of the patient to the specialist by a referring practitioner—initial attendance in a single course of treatment, if:

(a) the specialist takes a comprehensive history, including psychosocial history and medication review; and

(b) the specialist undertakes any of the following that are clinically relevant:

(i) a comprehensive multi-system physical examination;

(ii) consideration of multiple complex diagnoses;

(iii) discussion of all treatment options available;

(iv) assessment of pros and cons of each treatment option given patient characteristics and medical history;

(v) consideration, discussion and provision of necessary referrals for clinically appropriate investigations or treatment;

(vi) communication of a patient-centred management plan; and

(c) the specialist makes available to the patient or carer written documentation that outlines treatment options and information on associated risks and benefits; and

(d) another attendance on the patient did not take place on the same day by the specialist in the same single course of treatment

Fee: $178.70 Benefit: 75% = $134.05 85% = $151.90

(See para AN.0.1, AN.0.7, AN.3.2, AN.40.1 of explanatory notes to this Category)

Professional attendance lasting at least 45 minutes at consulting rooms or hospital, by a specialist in the practice of the specialist’s specialty of gynaecology, following referral of the patient to the specialist by a referring practitioner—an attendance after the initial attendance in a single course of treatment, if:

(a) the specialist takes a comprehensive history, including psychosocial history and medication review; and

(b) the specialist reviews implemented management strategies; and

(c) the specialist undertakes any of the following that are clinically relevant:

(i) update of management plan;

(ii) performance of a physical examination;

(iii) discussion of treatment options;

(iv) consideration, discussion and provision of necessary referrals;

(v) provision of appropriate education; and

(d) the specialist makes available to the patient or carer written documentation that outlines treatment options and information on associated risks and benefits; and

(e) another attendance on the patient did not take place on the same day by the specialist in the same single course of treatment

Fee: $89.40 Benefit: 75% = $67.05 85% = $76.00

(See para AN.0.1, AN.0.7, AN.3.1, AN.3.2, AN.40.1 of explanatory notes to this Category)