Medicare Benefits Schedule - Item 82374

Eating disorder psychological treatment service provided to an eligible patient as part of a group of 6 to 10 patients by an eligible occupational therapist if:

(a)     the service is recommended in the patient’s eating disorder treatment and management plan; and

(b)     the service is provided in person; and

(c)     the service is at least 60 minutes in duration

Fee: $26.00 Benefit: 85% = $22.10

(See para MN.16.1, MN.16.3 of explanatory notes to this Category)

Extended Medicare Safety Net Cap: $78.00

• Previous - Item 82373
• Next - Item 82375

Eating Disorders General Explanatory Notes (items 82350, 82352, 82354, 82355, 82357-82360, 82362, 82363, 82365-82368, 82370, 82371, 82373-82376, 82378, 82379, 82381-82383; 93074, 93076, 93079, 93084, 93087, 93092, 93095, 93100, 93103, 93108, 93110, 93113, 93118, 93121, 93126, 93129, 93134, 93137)

This note provides a general overview of the full range of 1 November 2025 eating disorders items and supporting information more specifically on the Category 8 – Miscellaneous Services: Group M16 – Eating disorders services (items 82350, 82352, 82354, 82355, 82357-82360, 82362, 82363, 82365-82368, 82370, 82371, 82373-82376, 82378, 82379, 82381-82383; 93074, 93076, 93079, 93084, 93087, 93092, 93095, 93100, 93103, 93108, 93110, 93113, 93118, 93121, 93126, 93129, 93134, 93137).

It includes an overview of the items, model of care, patient eligibility, and links to other guidance and resources.

Overview

All 1 November 2025 eating disorder items:

The eating disorders items define services for which Medicare benefits are payable where service providers undertake assessment and management of patients with a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa and patients with other specified eating disorder diagnoses who meet the eligibility criteria (see – patient eligibility). It is expected that there will be a multidisciplinary approach to patient management through these items.

The items mean eligible patients are able to receive a Medicare benefit for development of an eating disorders treatment and management plan by a medical practitioner in general practice (Group A36, subgroup 1), psychiatry or paediatrics (Group A36, subgroup 2). Patients with an eating disorders treatment and management plan (EDTMP) will be eligible for comprehensive treatment and management services for a 12-month period, including:

• Up to 20 dietetic services under items 10954, 82350, 93074 and 93108.
• Up to 40 eating disorder psychological treatment services (EDPT services).  
• Review and ongoing management services to ensure that the patient accesses the appropriate level of intervention (Group A36, subgroup 3).

EDPT services includes mental health treatment services which are provided by an eligible allied health professional. In addition, an eligible general practitioner (GP) or an eligible prescribed medical practitioner (PMP) who has the appropriate training recognised by the General Practice Mental Health Standards Collaboration can provide focussed psychological strategies services as part of an arrangement for the treatment of an assessed mental disorder under a Mental Health Treatment Plan. These treatment services include:

• Medicare mental health treatment services currently provided to patients under the ‘Better Access to Psychiatrists, Psychologists and General Practitioners through the MBS (‘Better Access’) initiative.
  • This includes GP and PMP items 2721, 2723, 2725, 2727, 283, 285, 286, 287, 91818, 91819, 91820, 91821; 91842, 91843, 91844, 91845 and
  • This includes allied health items in Groups M6 and M7; and
  • Patients can only access these services under Better Access if they have a Mental Health Treatment Plan. These services will count towards the maximum 40 psychological sessions under an EDTMP.
• New items for EDPT services provided by suitably trained medical practitioners in general practice (items 90271, 90272, 90273, 90274, 90275, 90276, 90277, 90278, 92182, 92184, 92186 and 92188; 92194, 92196, 92198 and 92200)
• New items for EDPT services provided by eligible clinical psychologists (items 82352-82359, 93076 and 93079), eligible psychologists (items 82360-82367; 93084 and 93087; 93118, 93121), eligible occupational therapists (items 82368-82375; 93092 and 93095; 93126 and 93129) and eligible social workers (items 82376-82383; 93100 and 93103)
   

For any particular patient, an eating disorder treatment and management plan expires at the end of a 12-month period following provision of that service. After that period, a patient will require a new EDTMP to continue accessing EDPT services. 
 

Patient Eligibility

The eating disorder items are available to eligible patients in the community. These items do not apply to services provided to admitted (in-hospital) patients.

The referring practitioner is responsible for determining that a patient is eligible for an EDTMP and therefore eating disorder psychological and dietetic services.

‘Eligible patient’ defines the group of patients who can access the new eating disorder services. There are two cohorts of eligible patients.

1. Patients with a clinical diagnosis of anorexia nervosa; or
2. Patients who meet the eligibility criteria (below), and have a clinical diagnosis of any of the following conditions:
   1. bulimia nervosa;
   2. binge-eating disorder;
   3. other specified feeding or eating disorder.

The eligibility criteria, for a patient, is:

1. a person who has been assessed as having an Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire score of 3 or more; and
2. the condition is characterised by rapid weight loss, or frequent binge eating or inappropriate compensatory behaviour as manifested by 3 or more occurrences per week; and
3. a person who has at least two of the following indicators:
   1. clinically underweight with a body weight less than 85% of expected weight where weight loss is directly attributable to the eating disorder;
   2. current or high risk of medical complications due to eating disorder behaviours and symptoms;
   3. serious comorbid medical or psychological conditions significantly impacting on medical or psychological health status with impacts on function;
   4. the person has been admitted to a hospital for an eating disorder in the previous 12 months;
   5. inadequate treatment response to evidence-based eating disorder treatment over the past six months despite active and consistent participation.

The Eating Disorders Items Stepped Model of Care

The eating disorder items incorporate a ‘stepped model’ for best practice care for eligible patients with eating disorders that comprise:

• assessment and treatment planning
• provision of and/or referral for appropriate evidence-based eating disorder specific treatment services by allied mental health professionals and provision of services by dietitians
• review and ongoing management items to ensure that the patient accesses the appropriate level of intervention.

The Stepped Model

‘STEP 1’ – PLANNING (trigger eating disorders pathway) 90250-90257, 92146-92153, 90260-90261, 92162 or 92163

An eligible patient receives an EDTMP developed by a medical practitioner in general practice (items 90250-90257 and 92146-92153), psychiatry (items 90260 or 92162) or paediatrics (items 90261 or 92163).

 ‘STEP 2’ – COMMENCE INITIAL COURSE OF TREATMENT (psychological & dietetic services)

Once an eligible patient has an EDTMP in place, the 12-month period commences, and the patient is eligible for an initial course of treatment up to 20 dietetic services and 10 eating disorder psychological treatment (EDPT) services. A patient will be eligible for an additional 30 eating disorder psychological treatment services in the 12-month period, subject to reviews from medical practitioners to determine appropriate intensity of treatment.

For patients with co-occurring mental health issues which require a Mental Health Treatment Plan to access psychological services under the Better Access initiative, Better Access mental health treatment services provided before an EDTMP has commenced do not count towards the EDPT services. However, any that are provided after the EDTMP has commenced do count as long as the patient still has a Mental Health Treatment Plan, valid referral and review requirements in place. Further information on the Better Access initiative is available at AN.0.78 – Better Access Initiative. 

 ‘STEP 3” – CONTINUE ON INITIAL COURSE OF TREATMENT 90264-90267 (managing practitioner review and progress up to 20 EDPT services)

It is expected that the managing practitioner will be reviewing the patient on a regular, ongoing and as required basis. However, a patient must have a review of the EDTMP (90264-90267; 92170-92173, 92176 and 92177), to assess the patient’s progress against the EDTMP or update the EDTMP, before they can access more than 10 eating disorder psychological services. This is known as the ‘first review’. The first review should be provided by the patient’s managing practitioner, where possible.

‘STEP 4’ FORMAL SPECIALIST AND PRACTITIONER REVIEW 90266-90267 (continue beyond 20 EDPT services)

A patient must have two additional reviews before they can access more than 20 eating disorder psychological services. One review (the ‘second review’) must be performed by a medical practitioner in general practice (who is expected to be the managing practitioner), and the other (the ‘third review’) must be performed by a paediatrician (90267 or 92173) or psychiatrist (90266 or 92172). Should both recommend the patient requires more intensive treatment, the patient would be able to access an additional 10 eating disorder psychological treatment services in the 12-month period. These reviews are required to determine that the patient has not responded to treatment at the lower intensity levels.

The patient’s managing practitioner should be provided with a copy of the specialist review.

The specialist review by the psychiatrist or paediatrician can occur at any point before 20 eating disorder psychological treatment services. The practitioner should refer the patient for specialist review as early in the treatment process as appropriate. If the practitioner is of the opinion that the patient should receive more than 20 eating disorder psychological treatment services, the referral should occur at the first practitioner review (after the first course of treatment) if it has not been initiated earlier.

Practitioners should be aware that the specialist review can be provided via video (92172 and 92173). Where appropriate, provision has been made for practitioner participation on the patient-end of the video consultation.

It is expected that the managing practitioner will be reviewing the patient on a regular, ongoing and as required basis. However, a patient must have a review of the EDTMP (90264-90267, 92170-92173, 92176 or 92177), to assess the patient’s progress against the EDTMP or update the EDTMP, before they can access the next course of treatment.

‘STEP 5’ ACCESS TO MAXIMUM INTENSITY OF TREATMENT 90266-90267 (continue beyond 30 EDPT services)

To access more than 30 eating disorder psychological treatment services in the 12-month period, patients are required to have an additional review (the ‘fourth review’) to ensure the highest intensity of treatment is appropriate. Subject to this review, a patient could access the maximum of 40 eating disorder psychological treatment services in a 12-month period. The fourth review should be provided by the patient’s managing practitioner, where possible. 

An Integrated Team Approach

A patient’s family and/or carers should be involved in the treatment planning and discussions where appropriate. The family can be involved in care options throughout the diagnosis and assessment, and are usually the support unit that help to bridge the gap between initial diagnosis and eating disorder specific treatment.

The National Standards for the safe treatment of eating disorders specify a multi-disciplinary treatment approach that provides coordinated psychological, physical, behavioural, nutritional and functional care to address all aspects of eating disorders. People with eating disorders require integrated inter-professional treatment that is able to work within a framework of shared goals, care plans and client and family information. Frequent communication is required between treatment providers to prevent deterioration in physical and mental health (RANZCP Clinical Guidelines: Hay et al., 2014). Consider regular case conferencing to ensure that the contributing team members are able to work within a shared care plan and with client and carers to achieve best outcomes.

Clinical guidelines and other resources

Eating Disorders Training

It is expected that allied health professionals who are providing services under these items have appropriate training, skills and experience in treatment of patients with eating disorders and meet the national workforce core competencies for the safe and effective identification of and response to eating disorders. More information is available at National Eating Disorders Collaboration and ANZAED. 

Training Services

Allied health professionals should contact their professional organisation to identify education and training which may assist to practitioners to gain the skills and knowledge to provide services under these items.

The following organisations provide training which may assist practitioners to meet the workforce competency standards:

• The Australia and New Zealand Academy of eating disorders (ANZAED) - National
• InsideOut Institute - National
• The National Eating Disorders Collaboration - National
• The Victorian Centre of Excellence in Eating Disorders (CEED) - VIC
• Queensland Eating Disorder Service (QuEDS) - QLD
• Statewide Eating Disorder Service (SEDS) - SA
• WA Eating Disorders Outreach & Consultation Service (WAEDOCS) – WA

This list is not exhaustive, but has been included to provide examples on the types of training available which may assist practitioners to upskill in this area.

 

 

Related Items: 82350 82352 82354 82355 82357 82358 82359 82360 82362 82363 82365 82366 82367 82368 82370 82371 82373 82374 82375 82376 82378 82379 82381 82382 82383

Eating Disorders Psychological Treatment (EDPT) services (82352, 82354, 82355, 82357-82360, 82362, 82363, 82365-82368, 82370, 82371, 82373-82376, 82378, 82379, 82381-82383, 93076, 93079, 93084, 93087, 93092, 93095, 93100, 93103, 93110, 93113, 93118, 93121, 93126, 93129, 93134, 93137)

This note provides information on the Category 8 – Miscellaneous Services: Group M16 – Subgroups 2-5 (82352, 82354, 82355, 82357-82360, 82362, 82363, 82365-82368, 82370, 82371, 82373-82376, 82378, 82379, 82381-82383, 93076, 93079, 93084, 93087, 93092, 93095, 93100, 93103, 93110, 93113, 93118, 93121, 93126, 93129, 93134, 93137) and should be read in conjunction with MN.16.1 Eating Disorders General Explanatory Notes.

For the purpose of this note Allied mental health professional is the generic term used to describe providers eligible to provider services under these items, including; clinical psychologists, registered psychologists, eligible accredited mental health social workers and eligible occupational therapists.

Eating Disorder Psychological Treatment (EDPT) Services Overview

Provision of EDPT services by a suitably trained Allied mental health professional (82352, 82354, 82355, 82357-82360, 82362, 82363, 82365-82368, 82370, 82371, 82373-82376, 82378, 82379, 82381-82383, 93076, 93079, 93084, 93087, 93092, 93095, 93100, 93103, 93110, 93113, 93118, 93121, 93126, 93129, 93134, 93137) are for patients with anorexia nervosa and other patients with complex presentations of diagnosed eating disorders who meet the eligibility requirements and would benefit from a structured approach to the management of their treatment needs in the community setting.

There are 24 items for the provision of eating disorder specific evidence based psychological treatment services by eligible allied mental health professionals:

• clinical psychologists (item 82352, 82354, 82355, 82357-82359, and their equivalent telehealth items 93076, 93079, 93110 and 93113)
• registered psychologists (item 82360, 82362, 82363, 82365-82367, and their equivalent telehealth items 93084, 93087, 93118 and 93121)
• occupational therapists (82368, 82370, 82371, 82373- 82375, and their equivalent telehealth items 93092, 93095, 93126 and 93129)
• accredited mental health social workers (items 82376, 82378, 82379, 82381-82383, and their equivalent telehealth items 93100, 93103, 93134 and 93137)

Psychological Treatment Service

Patients seeking benefits for EDPT services must have had an EDTMP 90250-90257; 92146-92153 or 90260-90261; 92162-92163 in the previous 12 Months.

‘Eating disorder psychological treatment service (EDPT) services’ is defined in the MN.16.1 Eating Disorders General Explanatory Note. For any particular patient, an eating disorder treatment and management plan expires at the end of a 12-month period following provision of that service. After that period, a patient will require a new EDTMP to continue accessing EDPT services.

Rendering an EDPT service item

Who can provide the service

EDPT services includes mental health treatment services which are provided by an eligible allied health professional. In addition, an eligible general practitioner (GP) or an eligible prescribed medical practitioner (PMP) who has the appropriate training recognised by the General Practice Mental Health Standards Collaboration can provide focussed psychological strategies services as part of an arrangement for the treatment of an assessed mental disorder under a Mental Health Treatment Plan.

In order to provide EDPT services, the allied mental health professional must be recognised by Services Australia as eligible to provide treatment services under the Better Access to Psychiatrists, Psychologists and General Practitioners through the Medicare Benefits Schedule (Better Access) initiative (see Provider Eligibility for more information). 

Under the Better Access initiative, eligible patients must be referred to mental health treatment services by either a GP or PMP at the general practice in which the patient is enrolled in MyMedicare, or regardless of whether the patient is enrolled in MyMedicare, by the patient’s usual medical practitioner who is managing the patient under a Mental Health Treatment Plan. This also includes a GP or PMP who is located at a medical practice that has provided the majority of their care over the previous 12 months or will be providing the majority of their care over the next 12 months. In addition, eligible patients can be referred under a Psychiatrist Assessment and Management Plan, or on direct referral from an psychiatrist or paediatrician. Further information on the Better Access initiative is available at AN.0.78 – Better Access Initiative.  

What is Involved in EDPT services

The eating disorder items incorporate a ‘stepped model’ for best practice care for eligible patients with eating disorders. Under the Eating Disorders Items Stepped Model of Care a course of treatment is defined as 10 eating disorder psychological treatment (EDPT) services. It is required that a patient must have a review (an EDR item in subgroup 3 of A36) after each course of treatment (see MN.16.1 Eating Disorders General Explanatory Notes). 

A range of acceptable treatments has been approved for use by practitioners in this context. It is expected that professionals will have the relevant education and training to deliver these services. The approved treatments are:

• Family Based Treatment for Eating Disorders (EDs) (including whole family, Parent Based Therapy, parent only or separated therapy)
• Adolescent Focused Therapy for EDs
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for EDs (CBT-ED)
• CBT-Anorexia Nervosa (AN) (CBT-AN)
• CBT for Bulimia Nervosa (BN) and Binge-eating Disorder (BED) (CBT-BN and CBT-BED)
• Specialist Supportive Clinical Management (SSCM) for EDs
• Maudsley Model of Anorexia Treatment in Adults (MANTRA)
• Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) for BN, BED
• Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) for BN, BED
• Focal psychodynamic therapy for EDs
   

After each course of treatment, the relevant allied mental health professional is required to provide the referring medical practitioner with a written report on assessments carried out, treatment provided and recommendations for future management of the patient’s condition. This reporting is required after the first service, as clinically required following subsequent services and after the final service.

This reporting will inform the managing practitioner’s reviews of the EDTMP and enable the practitioner to assess the patient’s progress and response to treatment.

Written reports should include, at a minimum:

• any investigations, tests, and/or assessments carried out on the patient;
• any treatment provided; and
• future management of the patient's condition or problem.

The report to the Practitioner must be kept for 2 years from the date of service.

Where appropriate, it is expected that the report will also be provided to the patients and/or the patient’s family/carer (with the patient’s agreement).

Checking patient eligibility for services

Note: The 12-month period commences from the date of the EDTMP.

Patients seeking benefits for EDPT services must have had an EDTMP 90250-90257; 92146-92153 or 90260-90261; 92162-92163 in the previous 12 Months. The plan must require that the patient needs mental health services for treatment of their eating disorder, and the patient must be provided with a referral for access to the allied health services.

If the EDTMP has not yet been claimed, Services Australia will not be aware of the patient's eligibility. In this case the allied health professional should, with the patient's permission, contact the practitioner who developed the plan to ensure the relevant service has been provided to the patient.

Support:

If there is any doubt about a patient’s eligibility, Services Australia will be able to confirm whether a patient has had a claim for an eating disorder service, as well as the number of services already claimed by the patient. Additionally, providers can also access the Health Professionals Online System (HPOS) to view a patient’s history.

Allied health professionals can call Services Australia on 132 150 to check this information, while unsure patients can seek clarification by calling 132 011 or view their care plan history in their Medicare online account through myGov to help track services that have been claimed.

 

Provider Eligibility

Advice about registering with Services Australia to provide focussed psychological strategies is available from the Services Australia provider inquiry line on 132 150.

Eligible clinical psychologist - MN.6.4 - Clinical Psychologist Professional Eligibility

Eligible providers who can provide mental health treatment services under the Better Access Initiative

Under the Better Access initiative, focussed psychological strategies services may only be provided by an eligible GP, an eligible PMP, eligible psychologist (registered), eligible occupational therapist, or eligible social workers. The eligibility requirements for each profession are set out at MN.7.4 – Provision of Focussed Psychological Strategies. Eligible allied health professionals must be registered with Services Australia.

Psychological therapy services under the MBS may only be provided by eligible clinical psychologists. To provide psychological therapy services to eligible patients under the Better Access initiative, eligible clinical psychologists must meet the provider eligibility requirements set out at MN.6.2 – Provision of Psychological Therapy and be registered with Services Australia.

Continuing professional development for occupational therapists and social workers providing focussed psychological strategies services

In addition to meeting the relevant professional eligibility requirements, under the Better Access initiative, eligible occupational therapists and eligible social workers are required to complete continuing professional development each year to provide focussed psychological strategies. A year for the purposes of these items is from 1 July to 30 June annually. Further information is outlined at MN.7.4 – Provision of Focussed Psychological Strategies.

Additional Claiming Information (general conditions and limitations)

Other than Consultation Room (items 82354, 82357, 82362, 82365, 82370, 82373, 82378, 82381)

It is expected that this service would be provided only for patients who are unable to attend the practice. 

Related Items: 82352 82354 82355 82357 82358 82359 82360 82362 82363 82365 82366 82367 82368 82370 82371 82373 82374 82375 82376 82378 82379 82381 82382 82383