Medicare Benefits Schedule - Item 37623

VASOTOMY OR VASECTOMY, unilateral or bilateral

NOTE:  Strict legal requirements apply in relation to sterilisation procedures on minors.  Medicare benefits are not payable for services not rendered in accordance with relevant Commonwealth and State and Territory law.  Observe the explanatory note before submitting a claim.

Multiple Operation Rule

(Anaes.)

Fee: $261.90 Benefit: 75% = $196.45 85% = $222.65

(See para TN.8.46 of explanatory notes to this Category)

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(i)               It is unlawful throughout Australia to conduct a sterilisation procedure on a minor which is not a by-product of surgery appropriately carried out to treat malfunction or disease (eg malignancies of the reproductive tract) unless legal authorisation has been obtained.

(ii)              Practitioners are liable to be subject to criminal and civil action if such a sterilisation procedure is performed on a minor (a person under 18 years of age) which is not authorised by the Family Court of Australia or another court or tribunal with jurisdiction to give such authorisation.

(iii)             Parents/guardians have no legal authority to consent on behalf of minors to such sterilisation procedures.  Medicare Benefits are only payable for sterilisation procedures that are clinically relevant professional services as defined in Section 3 (1) of the Health Insurance Act 1973.

Related Items: 35637 35691 37623