Medicare Benefits Schedule - Item 45518

Scar, other than on face or neck, more than 7 cm in length, revision of, if:
(a) the service is:
(i) undertaken in the operating theatre of a hospital; or
(ii) performed by a specialist in the practice of the specialist’s specialty; and
(b) the service is not performed in conjunction with the insertion of breast implants for cosmetic purposes; and
(c) the incision made for revision of the scar is not used as an approach for another procedure (including a non rebatable procedure); and
(d) sufficient photographic evidence demonstrating the clinical need for the service is included in patient notes

Multiple Operation Rule

(Anaes.)

Fee: $248.45 Benefit: 75% = $186.35 85% = $211.20

(See para TN.8.95 of explanatory notes to this Category)

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For the purposes of items 45510 to 45518, revision of scar refers to modification of existing scars (traumatic, surgical or pathological) that is designed to decrease scar width, adapt scar position with regard to skin creases and landmarks, release scars from adhering to underlying structures, improve scar contour in keeping with undamaged skin or restore the shape of facial aperture. 

Items 45510 to 45518 are only claimable when performed by a specialist in the practice of the specialist's specialty or where undertaken in the operating theatre of a hospital. 

Only items 45510 and 45512, for the face and neck, can be claimed in association with items providing for graft or flap services. 

For excision of scar services which do not meet the requirements of the revision of scar items as defined, the appropriate item in the range 31206 to 31225 should be claimed.

Related Items: 45510 45512 45515 45518