Government drops eye injection MBS changes after AMA raises patient cost concerns
13 Mar 2026
The proposed change, due from 1 July 2026, would have reclassified IVI performed without an anaesthetist (previously MBS item 42738, now items 43030 and 43032) from Type B to Type C. This could have increased costs for patients receiving private health insurance benefits.
The AMA’s submission highlighted that any reform must not raise out-of-pocket costs or limit access, especially for vulnerable patients. It also called for nationally consistent certification processes, monitoring of patient costs, and follow-up if problems arose.
The Department of Health acknowledged concerns that the reclassification could financially disadvantage patients, particularly those accessing IVI in hospitals under private health insurance. The Health Minister has asked the department to review access and affordability issues for specialist services, including ophthalmology.
The AMA supported keeping current MBS fee levels to protect service access, especially in rural and remote areas, and recommended investment in bulk-billing and public outpatient IVI services to reduce cost and geographic barriers.
The AMA also opposed expanding IVI provision to non‑medical practitioners without strong clinical oversight and safety evidence.
The AMA will continue advocating for patient affordability and safe, clinically appropriate access to vision-saving care, keeping members updated as the department progresses its broader work on specialist access and costs.
https://www.ama.com.au/