Medicare Benefits Schedule - Note TN.2.7

Multi-disciplinary team involvement may be required for items relating to applicator insertion (Items 15958-15968). This may include a:

(a)     Gynaecological oncologist; or

(b)     Urologist; or

(c)     Breast surgeon; or

(d)     Thoracic surgeon; or

(e)     Vascular surgeon; or

(f)      Gastro-intestinal surgeon; or

(g)     Plastic surgeon; or

(h)     General surgeon; or

(i)       Interventional radiologist; or

(j)       Ophthalmic surgeon.

Related Items: 15958 15960 15962 15964 15966 15968

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Simple placement or insertion of any of the following kinds of brachytherapy device, without image guidance:

(a) intracavitary vaginal cylinder, vaginal ovoids, vaginal ring or vaginal mould;

(b) surface mould or applicator, with catheters fixed to or embedded into mould or applicator, on external surface of body;

including the removal of applicators, catheters or needles

Fee: $106.40 Benefit: 75% = $79.80 85% = $90.45

(See para TN.2.5, TN.2.7 of explanatory notes to this Category)

Complex construction and manufacture of a personalised brachytherapy applicator or mould, derived from three dimensional image volume datasets, to treat intracavitary, intraoral or intranasal site, including the removal of applicators, catheters or needles

Fee: $146.80 Benefit: 75% = $110.10 85% = $124.80

(See para TN.2.5, TN.2.7 of explanatory notes to this Category)

Complex insertion of any of the following kinds of brachytherapy device, with image guidance and if a radiation oncologist is in attendance at the initiation of the service:

(a) intrauterine tubes with or without ovoids, ring or cylinder;

(b) endocavity applicators;

(c) intraluminal catheters for treatment of bronchus, trachea, oesophagus, nasopharynx, bile duct;

(d) endovascular catheters for treatment of vessels;

including the removal of applicators, catheters or needles

(Anaes.)

Fee: $319.15 Benefit: 75% = $239.40 85% = $271.30

(See para TN.2.5, TN.2.7 of explanatory notes to this Category)

Complex insertion and removal of hybrid intracavitary and interstitial brachytherapy applicators, or intracavitary and multi catheter applicators, with image guidance and if a radiation oncologist is in attendance at the initiation of the service

(Anaes.)

Fee: $425.60 Benefit: 75% = $319.20 85% = $361.80

(See para TN.2.5, TN.2.7 of explanatory notes to this Category)

Complex insertion of any of the following kinds of interstitial brachytherapy implants not requiring surgical exposure, with image guidance, and if a radiation oncologist is in attendance during the service:

(a) catheters or needles for temporary implants;

(b) radioactive sources for permanent implants;

(c) breast applicators, single channel and multi‑channel strut devices;

including the removal of applicators, catheters or needles

(Anaes.)

Fee: $531.95 Benefit: 75% = $399.00 85% = $452.20

(See para TN.2.5, TN.2.6, TN.2.7 of explanatory notes to this Category)

Complex insertion of any of the following interstitial brachytherapy implants requiring surgical exposure (other than a service to which item 15900 applies), if a radiation oncologist is in attendance at the initiation of the service:

(a) catheters, needles or applicators to a region requiring surgical exposure;

(b) radioactive sources for permanent implants;

(c) surface moulds during intraoperative brachytherapy;

(d) plastic catheters or stainless steel needles, requiring surgical exposure;

including implantation and removal of applicators, catheters or needles

(Anaes.)

Fee: $833.80 Benefit: 75% = $625.35 85% = $735.10

(See para TN.2.5, TN.2.7 of explanatory notes to this Category)