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Health Insurance (General Medical Services Table) Amendment Regulations 2011 (No. 1)

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Health Insurance (General Medical Services Table) Amendment Regulations 2011 (No. 1)1
Select Legislative Instrument 2011 No. 100
I, QUENTIN BRYCE, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, of the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, make the following Regulations under the Health Insurance Act 1973.
Dated 16 June 2011
QUENTIN BRYCE
Governor-General
By Her Excellency’s Command
NICOLA ROXON
Minister for Health and Ageing
Contents
                        1     Name of Regulations                                                       2
                        2      Commencement                                                              2
                        3      Amendment of Health Insurance (General Medical Services Table) Regulations 2010   2
                        4      Amendment of Health Insurance (General Medical Services Table) Regulations 2010   2
Schedule 1                  Amendments commencing on 1 July 2011                     3
Schedule 2                  Amendment commencing on 1 October 2011               22
 
 
1              Name of Regulations
                These Regulations are the Health Insurance (General Medical Services Table) Amendment Regulations 2011 (No. 1).
2              Commencement
                These Regulations commence as follows:
                 (a)     on 1 July 2011 — regulations 1 to 3 and Schedule 1;
                (b)     on 1 October 2011 — regulation 4 and Schedule 2.
3              Amendment of Health Insurance (General Medical Services Table) Regulations 2010
                Schedule 1 amends the Health Insurance (General Medical Services Table) Regulations 2010.
4              Amendment of Health Insurance (General Medical Services Table) Regulations 2010
                Schedule 2 amends the Health Insurance (General Medical Services Table) Regulations 2010.
Schedule 1        Amendments commencing on 1 July 2011
(regulation 3)
 
[1]           Schedule 1, subclause 1.2.2 (1)
omit
147,
insert
137, 141 to 147,
[2]           Schedule 1, subclause 1.2.3 (1)
omit
16401, 16404, 16406, 16590, 16591 and 17610 to 17680.
insert
13209, 16401, 16404, 16406, 16590, 16591 and 17610 to 17690.
[3]           Schedule 1, subclause 1.2.4 (1)
substitute
         (1)   Use this clause for items 3 to 96, 104 to 111, 113 to 147, 173 to 287, 289 to 338, 348 to 388, 390 to 536, 597 to 600, 2497 to 2819, 2821 to 2840, 3005 to 3014, 3016 to 3028, 4001 to 6015, 6017 to 10816, 11012, 11015, 11018, 11021, 11212, 11304, 11500, 11600, 11627, 11701, 11724, 11921, 12000, 12003, 12201, 13030, 13100, 13103, 13104, 13106,  13109, 13110, 13112, 13209, 13290, 13292, 13300, 13303, 13306, 13309, 13312, 13318, 13319, 13400, 13500, 13503, 13506, 13700, 13815, 13818, 13830, 13839, 13842, 13847, 13848, 13851, 13854, 13857, 13870, 13873, 13876, 13881, 13882, 13885, 13888, 14100, 14106, 14109, 14112, 14115, 14118, 14124, 14200, 14203, 14206, 14209, 14212, 14215, 14224, 15600, 16003 to 16398, 16400 to 16512, 16515 to 17608 and 17610 to 51318.
[4]           Schedule 1, subclause 1.2.4 (3)
substitute
         (3)   A personal attendance by the medical practitioner on the patient includes any of the following:
                (a)    a telepsychiatry consultation to which any of items 353 to 361 applies;
               (b)    the planning, management and supervision of the patient on home dialysis to which item 13104 applies;
                (c)    a video conferencing consultation to which any of the items in the following table apply.
Table 1.2.4

Items

104
141
304
318
2801
6009
16406
17625

105
143
306
319
2806
6011
16500
17640

110
291
308
348
2814
6013
16590
17645

116
293
310
350
3005
6015
16591
17650

119
296
312
352
3010
13209
17610
17655

132
300
314
385
3014
16401
17615
17690

133
302
316
386
6007
16404
17620
 

[5]           Schedule 1, subclause 1.2.5 (1)
substitute
         (1)   Use this clause for items 3 to 98, 100 to 111, 113 to 148, 150 to 287, 289 to 388, 390 to 723, 732, 900 to 2819, 2821 to 3014, 3016 to 6015, 6017 to 10816, 11012, 11015, 11018, 11021, 11212, 11304, 11500, 11600, 11627, 11701, 11722, 11724, 11820, 11823, 11921, 12000,12003, 12201, 13030, 13100, 13103, 13104, 13106, 13109, 13110, 13112, 13209, 13290, 13292, 13300, 13303, 13306,13309, 13312, 13318, 13319, 13400, 13500, 13503, 13506, 13700, 13815, 13818, 13830,  13839, 13842, 13847, 13848, 13851, 13854, 13857, 13870,  13873, 13876, 13881, 13882, 13885, 13888, 14100, 14106,  14109, 14112, 14115, 14118, 14124, 14200, 14203, 14206, 14209, 14212, 14215, 14224, 15600, 16003 to 16398, 16400 to 16512, 16515 to 16573, 16590, 16591, 16600 to 17608 and 17610 to 51318.
[6]           Schedule 1, subclause 1.2.5 (4)
substitute
         (4)   A personal attendance by the medical practitioner on the patient includes any of the following:
                (a)    a telepsychiatry consultation to which any of items 353 to 361 applies;
               (b)    the planning, management and supervision of the patient on home dialysis to which item 13104 applies;
                (c)    a video conferencing consultation to which any of the items in the following table apply.
Table 1.2.5

Items

104
141
304
318
2801
6009
16406
17625

105
143
306
319
2806
6011
16500
17640

110
291
308
348
2814
6013
16590
17645

116
293
310
350
3005
6015
16591
17650

119
296
312
352
3010
13209
17610
17655

132
300
314
385
3014
16401
17615
17690

133
302
316
386
6007
16404
17620
 

[7]           Schedule 1, subclause 1.2.8 (1)
after
12217,
insert
12250,
[8]           Schedule 1, Group A4 table, item 135
omit
[9]           Schedule 1, after Division 2.5
insert
Division 2.5A        Group A29 — Early intervention services for children with autism, pervasive developmental disorder or disability
2.5A.1     Meaning of eligible allied health provider and risk assessment
                In items 135, 137 and 139:
eligible allied health provider means any of the following:
                (a)    an audiologist;
               (b)    an occupational therapist;
                (c)    a participating optometrist;
               (d)    an orthoptist;
                (e)    a physiotherapist;
                (f)    a psychologist;
               (g)    a speech pathologist.
risk assessment means an assessment of:
                (a)    the risk to the patient of a contributing co‑morbidity; and
               (b)    environmental, physical, social and emotional risk factors that may apply to the patient or to another individual.
2.5A.2     Meaning of eligible disability
                In items 137 and 139:
eligible disability means any of the following:
                (a)    sight impairment that results in vision of less than or equal to 6/18 vision or equivalent field loss in the better eye, with correction;
               (b)    hearing impairment that results in:
                          (i)    a hearing loss of 40 decibels or greater in the better ear, across 4 frequencies; or
                         (ii)    permanent conductive hearing loss and auditory neuropathy;
                (c)    cerebral palsy;
               (d)    Down syndrome;
                (e)    Fragile X syndrome.
Group A29 — Early intervention services for children with autism, pervasive developmental disorder or disability

Item
Description
Fee ($)

135
Professional attendance of at least 45 minutes duration at consulting rooms or hospital, by a consultant physician in the practice of his or her specialty of paediatrics, following referral of the patient to the consultant by a medical practitioner, for assessment, diagnosis and preparation of a treatment and management plan for a patient aged under 13 years with autism or any other pervasive developmental disorder, if the consultant paediatrician does all of the following:
253.90

 
   (a)  undertakes a comprehensive assessment and makes a diagnosis (if appropriate, using information provided by an eligible allied health provider);
 

 
  (b)  develops a treatment and management plan, which must include the following:
         (i)   an assessment and diagnosis of the patient’s condition;
        (ii)   a risk assessment;
       (iii)   treatment options and decisions;
       (iv)   if necessary — medical recommendations;
   (c)  provides a copy of the treatment and management plan to:
         (i)   the referring medical practitioner; and
 

 
        (ii)   one or more allied health providers, if appropriate, for the treatment of the patient;
(not being an attendance on a patient for whom payment has previously been made under this item or item 137, 139 or 289)
 

137
Professional attendance of at least 45 minutes duration at consulting rooms or hospital, by a specialist or consultant physician (not including a general practitioner) following referral of the patient to the consultant by a medical practitioner, for assessment, diagnosis and preparation of a treatment and management plan for a patient under 13 years with an eligible disability if the specialist or consultant physician does all of the following:
   (a)  undertakes a comprehensive assessment and makes a diagnosis (if appropriate, using information provided by an eligible allied health provider);
  (b)  develops a treatment and management plan, which must include the following:
         (i)   an assessment and diagnosis of the patient’s condition;
        (ii)   a risk assessment;
       (iii)   treatment options and decisions;
       (iv)   if necessary — medication recommendations;
   (c)  provides a copy of the treatment and management plan to one or more allied health providers, if appropriate, for the treatment of the patient;
(not being an attendance on a patient for whom payment has previously been made under this item or item 135, 139 or 289)
253.90

139
Professional attendance of at least 45 minutes duration at consulting rooms only, by a general practitioner (not including a specialist or consultant physician) for assessment, diagnosis and preparation of a treatment and management plan for a patient under 13 years with an eligible disability if the general practitioner does all of the following:
   (a)  undertakes a comprehensive assessment and makes a diagnosis (if appropriate, using information provided by an eligible allied health provider);
125.00

 
  (b)  develops a treatment and management plan, which must include the following:
         (i)   an assessment and diagnosis of the patient’s condition;
        (ii)   a risk assessment;
       (iii)   treatment options and decisions;
       (iv)   if necessary — medication recommendations;
   (c)  provides a copy of the treatment and management plan to one or more allied health providers, if appropriate, for the treatment of the patient;
(not being an attendance on a patient for whom payment has previously been made under this item or item 135, 137 or 289)
 


[10]         Schedule 1, after clause 2.10.3
insert
2.10.4     Meaning of eligible allied health provider and risk assessment
                In item 289:
eligible allied health provider means any of the following:
                (a)    an audiologist;
               (b)    an occupational therapist;
                (c)    a participating optometrist;
               (d)    an orthoptist;
                (e)    a physiotherapist;
                (f)    a psychologist;
               (g)    a speech pathologist.
risk assessment means an assessment of:
                (a)    the risk to the patient of a contributing co‑morbidity; and
               (b)    environmental, physical, social and emotional risk factors that may apply to the patient or to another individual.
[11]         Schedule 1, Group A8 table, item 289
substitute
289
Professional attendance of at least 45 minutes duration at consulting rooms or hospital, by a consultant physician in the practice of his or her specialty of psychiatry, following referral of the patient to the consultant by a medical practitioner, for assessment, diagnosis and preparation of a treatment and management plan for a patient under 13 years with autism or any other pervasive developmental disorder, if the consultant psychiatrist does all of the following:
   (a)  undertakes a comprehensive assessment and makes a diagnosis (if appropriate, using information provided by an eligible allied health provider);
253.90

 
  (b)  develops a treatment and management plan which must include the following:
         (i)   an assessment and diagnosis of the patient’s condition;
        (ii)   a risk assessment;
       (iii)   treatment options and decisions;
 

 
       (iv)   if necessary — medication recommendations;
   (c)  provides a copy of the treatment and management plan to the referring practitioner;
 

 
  (d)  provides a copy of the treatment and management plan to 1 or more allied health providers, if appropriate, for the treatment of the patient;
(not being an attendance on a patient for whom payment has previously been made under this item or item 135, 137 or 139)
 

[12]         Schedule 1, Division 2.18, heading
substitute
Division 2.18         Group A17 — Domiciliary and residential medication management reviews
[13]         Schedule 1, Group A20 table, item 2710
after
medical
insert
practitioner
[14]         Schedule 1, Group A10 table, item 10907
after
10915 applies.
insert
The appropriate fee for the purpose of paragraph 23A (2) (c) of the Health Insurance Act 1973 is the fee mentioned in item 10900.
[15]         Schedule 1, clause 2.31.1, definition of eligible area, subparagraph (c) (v)
substitute
                         (v)    East Metropolitan Perth;
[16]         Schedule 1, clause 2.31.1, definition of eligible area, subparagraph (c) (xxii)
substitute
(xxii)       South West Metropolitan Perth;
[17]         Schedule 1, after subclause 2.34.2 (1)
insert
      (1A)   In item 12250:
qualified sleep medicine practitioner:
                (a)    means a qualified adult sleep medicine practitioner; and
               (b)    does not include a qualified paediatric sleep medicine practitioner.
[18]         Schedule 1, Group D1 table, after item 12217
insert
12250
Overnight investigation for sleep apnoea for a period of at least 8 hours duration for a patient aged 18 years or more, if all of the following requirements are met:
   (a)  the patient has, before the overnight investigation, been referred to a qualified sleep medicine practitioner by a medical practitioner whose clinical opinion is that there is a high probability that the patient has obstructive sleep apnoea;
  (b)  the investigation takes place after the qualified sleep medicine practitioner has:
         (i)   confirmed the necessity for the investigation; and
        (ii)   communicated this confirmation to the referring medical practitioner;
   (c)  during a period of sleep, the investigation involves recording a minimum of seven physiological parameters which must include:
         (i)   continuous electro‑encephalogram (EEG); and
        (ii)   continuous electro‑cardiogram (ECG); and
       (iii)   airflow; and
       (iv)   thoraco‑abdominal movement; and
        (v)   oxygen saturation; and
       (vi)   2 or more of the following:
(A)   electro‑oculogram (EOG);
(B)   chin electro‑myogram (EMG);
(C)   body position;
  (d)  in the report on the investigation, the qualified sleep medicine practitioner uses the data specified in paragraph (c) to:
         (i)   analyse sleep stage, arousals and respiratory events; and
        (ii)   assess clinically significant alteration in heart rate;
   (e)  the qualified sleep medicine practitioner:
         (i)   before the investigation takes place, establishes quality assurance procedures for data acquisition; and
322.60

 
        (ii)   personally analyses the data and writes the report on the results of the investigation
Payable only once in a 12 month period
 

[19]         Schedule 1, Group D1 table, item 11332
omit
Down’s Syndrome;
insert
Down Syndrome;
[20]         Schedule 1, Division 2.36
substitute
Division 2.36         Therapeutic procedures
2.36.1     Definition
                In this Division:
medical college has the meaning given by section 3GC of the Act.
specialist trainee under the supervision of a medical practitioner means a medical practitioner who is:
                (a)    enrolled in and undertaking a training program with a medical college; and
               (b)    supervised by a medical practitioner who is present at all times while the specialist trainee provides a medical service.
2.36.2     Medical services that may be provided by medical practitioner or specialist trainee
Medical services — items
         (1)   A medical service set out in the following items may be provided by a medical practitioner or a specialist trainee under the supervision of a medical practitioner:
                (a)    items 13015 to 16018;
               (b)    items 16600 to 16636;
                (c)    items 18213 to 18298;
               (d)    items 20100 to 51318.
Medical services taken to be provided by supervising medical practitioner
         (2)   If a medical service set out in an item mentioned in paragraph (1) (a), (b), (c) or (d) is provided by a specialist trainee under the supervision of a medical practitioner, the medical service is taken to have been provided by the supervising medical practitioner.
[21]         Schedule 1, Group T2 table, items 15360 and 15363
omit
[22]         Schedule 1, Group T2 table, item 15541
omit
[23]         Schedule 1, clauses 2.42.3 and 2.42.4
omit
[24]         Schedule 1, Group T7 table, items 18350 to 18373
omit
[25]         Schedule 1, after Division 2.42
insert
Division 2.42A      Group T11 — Botulinum toxin
2.42A.1  Injection of botulinum toxin
         (1)   Items 18350 to 18373 apply only to a service provided by a medical practitioner registered by the Medicare Australia CEO to participate in the arrangements made under paragraph 100 (1) (b) of the National Health Act 1953 for the purpose of providing an adequate pharmaceutical service for individuals requiring treatment with botulinum toxin.
         (2)   If the cost of the botulinum toxin injection supplied in connection with a service described in each of items 18350 to 18373 is not subsidised by the Commonwealth or a State, the service is taken not to include the supply of that toxin.
2.42A.2  Limitation of items 18360 and 18364
                A service mentioned in item 18360 or 18364 is applicable to the first 4 treatments, not exceeding 2 for each limb, on any day.
Group T11 — Botulinum toxin

Item
Description
Fee ($)

18350
Botulinum toxin (Botox), injection of, for hemifacial spasm in a patient who is at least 12 years, including all such injections on any 1 day
120.10

18351
Botulinum toxin (Dysport), injection of, for hemifacial spasm in a patient who is at least 18 years, including all such injections on any 1 day
120.10

18352
Botulinum toxin (Botox or Dysport), injection of, for cervical dystonia (spasmodic torticollis), including all such injections on any 1 day
240.30

18354
Botulinum toxin (Botox or Dysport), injection of, for dynamic equinus foot deformity due to spasticity in an ambulant cerebral palsy patient who is 2 years old or older, in accordance with the supply of the drugs under the Arrangements — Botulinum Toxin Program (PB 122 of 2008) as in force from time to time, including all such injections on any 1 day for all or any of the muscles subserving 1 functional activity and supplied by 1 motor nerve — applicable only to the first 2 treatments of each limb of the patient on any 1 day (Anaes.)
120.10

18356
Botulinum toxin (Botox or Dysport), injection of, for dynamic equinovarus foot deformity due to spasticity in an ambulant cerebral palsy patient who is 2 years old or older, in accordance with the supply of the drugs under the Arrangements — Botulinum Toxin Program (PB 122 of 2008) as in force from time to time, including all such injections on any 1 day for all or any of the muscles subserving 1 functional activity and supplied by 1 motor nerve — applicable only to the first 2 treatments of each limb of the patient on any 1 day (Anaes.)
120.10

18358
Botulinum toxin (Botox or Dysport), injection of, for dynamic equinovalgus foot deformity due to spasticity in an ambulant cerebral palsy patient who is 2 years old or older, in accordance with the supply of the drugs under the Arrangements — Botulinum Toxin Program (PB 122 of 2008) as in force from time to time, including all such injections on any 1 day for all or any of the muscles subserving 1 functional activity and supplied by 1 motor nerve — applicable only to the first 2 treatments of each limb of the patient on any 1 day (Anaes.)
120.10

18360
Botulinum toxin (Botox), injection of, for focal spasticity in adults, including all such injections for all or any of the muscles subserving 1 functional activity and supplied by 1 motor nerve
120.10

18361
Botulinum toxin (Botox), injection of, for the treatment of moderate to severe upper limb spasticity due to cerebral palsy, in a patient who is at least 2 years but less than 18 years, in association with either:
   (a)  physiotherapy or occupational therapy or both; or
  (b)  electrical stimulation or ultrasound for muscle localisation;
including all injections for any or all of the muscles sub‑serving one functional activity supplied by one motor nerve — with a maximum of four treatments per patient on any one day, and with a maximum of two treatments per limb (Anaes.)
120.10

18362
Botulinum toxin (Botox), injection of, for severe primary hyperhidrosis of the axillae, including all such injections on any 1 day (Anaes.)
237.35

18364
Botulinum toxin (Dysport), injection of, for spasticity of the arm in adults after a stroke, including all injections for all or any of the muscles subserving 1 functional activity and supplied by 1 motor nerve
120.10

18366
Botulinum toxin (Botox), injection of, for strabismus in children and adults, including all such injections on any 1 day and associated electromyography (Anaes.)
150.50

18368
Botulinum toxin (Botox), injection of, for spasmodic dysphonia, including all such injections on any 1 day
256.90

18370
Botulinum toxin (Botox), injection of, for blepharospasm in a patient who is at least 12 years, including all such injections on any 1 day (Anaes.)
43.35

18371
Botulinum toxin (Dysport), injection of, for blepharospasm in a patient who is at least 18 years, including all such injections on any 1 day (Anaes.)
43.35

18372
Botulinum toxin (Botox), injection of, for the treatment of essential bilateral blepharospasm, in a patient who is at least 12 years of age, including all such injections on any 1 day (Anaes.)
120.10

18373
Botulinum toxin (Dysport), injection of, for the treatment of essential bilateral blepharospasm in a patient who is at least 18 years of age, including all such injections on any 1 day (Anaes.)
120.10

[26]         Schedule 1, subclause 2.43.5 (2)
after
21965
insert
or 21981
[27]         Schedule 1, Group T10 table, item 21981
omit
in association with the management of anaesthesia agents
[28]         Schedule 1, clause 2.44.3
omit
[29]         Schedule 1, Group T8 table, item 37218
substitute
37217
Prostate, implantation of gold fiducial markers into the prostate gland or prostate surgical bed (Anaes.)
133.05

37218
Prostate, needle biopsy of, or injection into, excluding insertion of radioopaque markers (Anaes.)
133.05

[30]         Schedule 1, Group T8 table, items 38321 to 38330
omit
[31]         Schedule 1, Group T8 table, item 41767
omit                                           
transpalatal removal (Anaes.) (Assist.)
insert
removal of (Anaes.) (Assist.)
[32]         Schedule 1, Group T8 table, item 41861
omit
papillomata
insert
benign lesions of the larynx
[33]         Schedule 1, Group T8 table, item 47915
omit
including
insert
with
[34]         Schedule 1, Group T8 table, item 47916
substitute
47916
Ingrowing nail of toe, partial resection of nail, with destruction of nail matrix by phenolisation, electrocautery, laser, sodium hydroxide or acid but not including excision of nail bed (Anaes.)
81.90
[35]         Schedule 1, Group T8 table, items 49833 to 49838
substitute
49833
Foot, correction of hallus valgus by osteotomy of first metatarsal with or without internal fixation and with or without excision of exostoses associated with the first metatarsophalangeal joint — unilateral (H) (Anaes.) (Assist.)
498.20

49836
Foot, correction of hallus valgus by osteotomy of first metatarsal with or without internal fixation and with or without excision of exostoses associated with the first metatarsophalangeal joint — bilateral (H) (Anaes.) (Assist.)
860.50

49837
Foot, correction of hallus valgus by osteotomy of first metatarsal and transfer of adductor hallicus tendon, with or without internal fixation and with or without excision of exostoses associated with the first metatarsal joint — unilateral (H) (Anaes.) (Assist.)
622.75

49838
Foot, correction of hallus valgus by osteotomy of first metatarsal and transfer of adductor hallicus tendon, with or without internal fixation and with or without excision of exostoses associated with the first metatarsal joint — bilateral (H) (Anaes.) (Assist.)
1075.40

[36]         Dictionary, after definition of delivery
insert
eligible allied health provider:
        (a)    for items 135, 137 and 139 — see clause 2.5A.1; and
       (b)    for item 289 — see clause 2.10.4.
[37]         Dictionary, after definition of eligible area
insert
eligible disability, for items 137 and 139 — see clause 2.5A.2.
[38]         Dictionary, definition of qualified sleep medicine practitioner
omit
12217
insert
12250
[39]         Dictionary, after definition of reviewing a GP management plan
insert
risk assessment:
        (a)    for items 135, 137 and 139 — see clause 2.5A.1; and
       (b)    for item 289 — see clause 2.10.4.
[40]         Dictionary, after definition of SLA
insert
specialist trainee under the supervision of a medical practitioner, for Division 2.36 — see clause 2.36.1.
Schedule 2        Amendment commencing on 1 October 2011
(regulation 4)
 
[1]           Schedule 1, Group A17 table, item 900
after
community pharmacy
insert
or accredited pharmacist
Note
1.       All legislative instruments and compilations are registered on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments kept under the Legislative Instruments Act 2003. See http://www.frli.gov.au.