Medicare Benefits Schedule - Note PN.7.5

‘Abnormal red cell indices’ refers to a mean corpuscular volume <80 fL and/or mean corpuscular haemoglobin <28 pg and haematological studies suggestive of thalassaemia.

Related Items: 73410

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Deletion testing of HBA1 and HBA2 for:

(a) the diagnosis of alpha thalassaemia in a patient of reproductive age:

(i) who has abnormal red cell indices; and

(ii) for whom thalassaemia screening was suggestive of thalassaemia; and

(iii) who does not have a concurrent iron deficiency (or who, irrespective of iron status, is pregnant); and

(iv) who has no historic normal cell indices; or

(b) the determination of carrier status in a person:

(i) who is a reproductive partner of a person of child‑bearing potential with diagnosed alpha thalassaemia; and

(ii) who has abnormal red cell indices; and

(iii) who does not have a concurrent iron deficiency

(See para PN.7.5 of explanatory notes to this Category)

Fee: $100.00 Benefit: 75% = $75.00 85% = $85.00

(See para PN.7.5 of explanatory notes to this Category)