March 2026 MBS Updates Explained
05 Mar 2026
New Patient-End Support (PES) Items
New MBS items allow GPs, prescribed medical practitioners, and nurse practitioners to provide in-person support to patients during video consultations with a specialist or consultant physician.
These items follow a recommendation from the MBS Review Advisory Committee (MRAC) to restore face-to-face support. Examples of use include:
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A housebound patient needing a physical assessment during a video consult
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A patient in residential aged care who needs help understanding clinical information
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A rural patient with a chronic illness requiring assistance with video technology and physical observation
These items are only for patient-end support in video consultations. Full item numbers are on the RACGP website.
Additions to Eligible Disabilities
The MBS eligible disabilities list (group M10 – Complex neurodevelopmental disorder and disability services) now includes:
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Stuttering
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Speech sound disorders
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Cleft lip and/or palate
This allows patients to access allied health assessment and treatment services. More details on referrals are available in the DoHDA fact sheet.
Electrocardiogram (ECG) Amendments
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MBS item 11714 can now be claimed by GPs, reversing a 2020 restriction.
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Item 11707 is used when a trace is performed to forward to a specialist for a formal report.
Health Assessments Updates
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Age-based descriptors for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health assessments have been replaced with general preventive health guidance.
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Revised item descriptors now clearly list the clinical activities required for billing (MBS items 715, 228, 92004, 92011).
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Time-tiered health assessments for older people (75+) and people with intellectual disability have been updated to remove outdated screenings and vaccinations, keeping services clinically current.
Hospital-Only Items Clarified
Some hospital-only MBS items have been updated after data showed incorrect billing at 85% of the schedule fee. These items now correctly attract 75% of the MBS fee.
For more information, see the DoHDA fact sheets and the RACGP website for full details of the March 2026 MBS updates.
https://www1.racgp.org.au/
Source: Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (DoHDA) / RACGP
