Medicare Benefits Schedule - Item 73341

Fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) test of tumour tissue from a patient with a new diagnosis of locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer, which is of non-squamous histology or histology not otherwise specified, with documented evidence of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) immunoreactivity by immunohistochemical (IHC) examination giving a staining intensity score > 0, and with documented absence of activating mutations of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene, requested by a specialist or consultant physician, if the test is:

(a)   to determine if requirements relating to ALK gene rearrangement status for access to an immunotherapy listed under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) are fulfilled; and

(b)   not associated with a service to which item 73437 or 73439 applies

Fee: $400.00 Benefit: 75% = $300.00 85% = $340.00

(See para PN.7.15 of explanatory notes to this Category)

• Previous - Item 73340
• Next - Item 73342

Prior to requesting or performing these tests, the requesting practitioner or pathologist should consider if the patient has already received equivalent testing under the same or another methodology in the same new diagnosis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Repeat testing by multiple methods in the same new diagnosis of NSCLC should only be performed if it is clinically relevant.

Items 73337, 73341, 73344 and 73436 support sequential single-gene testing for biomarkers in patients with NSCLC.

Item 73437 supports use of one next generation sequencing (NGS) panel for testing of all biomarkers supported under items 73337, 73341, 73344 and 73436.

Items 73438 and 73439 support sequential use of two NGS panels for testing of all biomarkers supported under 73337 and 73436, and 73341 and 73344 respectively.

Related Items: 73337 73341 73344 73436 73437 73438 73439