Medicare Benefits Schedule - Item 13015

HYPERBARIC, OXYGEN THERAPY, for treatment of localised non-neurological soft tissue radiation injuries excluding radiation-induced soft tissue lymphoedema of the arm after treatment for breast cancer, performed in a comprehensive hyperbaric medicine facility, under the supervision of a medical practitioner qualified in hyperbaric medicine, for a period in the hyperbaric chamber of between 1 hour 30 minutes and 3 hours, including any associated attendance.

Fee: $290.25 Benefit: 75% = $217.70 85% = $246.75

(See para TN.1.1 of explanatory notes to this Category)

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Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy not covered by these items would attract benefits on an attendance basis. For the purposes of these items, a comprehensive hyperbaric medicine facility means a separate hospital area that, on a 24 hour basis: 

(a) is equipped and staffed so that it is capable of providing to a patient:

(i) hyperbaric oxygen therapy at a treatment pressure of at least 2.8 atmospheric pressure absolute (180 kilopascal gauge pressure); and

(ii) mechanical ventilation and invasive cardiovascular monitoring within a monoplace or multiplace chamber for the duration of the hyperbaric treatment; and

(b)  is under the direction of at least 1 medical practitioner who is rostered, and immediately available, to the facility during the facility's ordinary working hours if the practitioner:

(i) is a specialist with training in diving and hyperbaric medicine; or

(ii) holds a Diploma of Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine of the South Pacific Underwater Medicine Society; and

(c) is staffed by:

(i) at least 1 medical practitioner with training in diving and hyperbaric medicine who is present in the facility and immediately available at all times when patients are being treated at the facility; and

(ii) at least 1 registered nurse with specific training in hyperbaric patient care to the published standards of the Hyperbaric Technicians and Nurses Association, who is present during hyperbaric oxygen therapy; and

(d) has admission and discharge policies in operation.

Related Items: 13015 13020 13025 13030