Medicare Benefits Schedule - Item 53

Professional attendance at consulting rooms of more than 5 minutes in duration but not more than 25 minutes (other than a service to which any other item applies)-each attendance, by:

(a) a medical practitioner (who is not a general practitioner); or

(b) a Group A1 disqualified general practitioner, as defined in the dictionary of the General Medical Services Table (GMST).

Fee: $21.00 Benefit: 100% = $21.00

(See para AN.2.1 of explanatory notes to this Category)

Extended Medicare Safety Net Cap: $63.00

• Previous - Item 52
• Next - Item 54

Consultations rendered by specialist radiologists

Medicare benefits are not payable for items 52, 53, 54, 57, 104 and 105 when claimed by a specialist radiologist in association with any of the following diagnostic imaging items:

(a) an item in Subgroup 6 of Group I1;
(b) an item in any of Subgroups 1 to 7 of Group I3;
(c) items 58900 and 58903 in Subgroup 8 of Group I3; and
(d) item 59103 in Subgroup 9 of Group I3.

Consultations rendered in association with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) services - Group I5

Medicare benefits are not payable for items 52, 53, 54, 57, 104 and 105 in association with MRI services unless the providing practitioner determines that the consultation is necessary for the treatment or management of the patient's condition. 

The restrictions above apply when these services are performed by the same practitioner, on the same patient, on the same day.

Related Items: 52 53 54 57 104 105