Practice Nurse MBS item numbers for cervical screening extended to urban areas, and preventative check item numbers also added.

The federal government has extended the MBS item numbers 10998 and 10999 for cervical screening by a practice nurse on behalf of a GP to all urban areas.  These item numbers were previously only available to rural and remote areas.

Item number 10998 can be claimed by a medical practitioner (not including a consultant or physician) where a pap smear is taken by a practice nurse on behalf of the medical practitioner.  MBS rebate = $10.60

Item number 10999 can be claimed by a medical practitioner (not including a consultant or physician) where a pap smear is taken by a practice nurse on behalf of the medical practitioner and the pap smear is taken from a woman between the ages of 20-69 inclusive, who has not had a pap smear in the last 4 years. MBS rebate = $10.60

New item numbers for cervical screening + preventative checks!

Where a pap smear is taken by a practice nurse and includes at least one preventative check, the following item numbers can be claimed instead of the above item numbers 10998/10999, which are for a pap smear only.

Item number 10994 can be claimed by a medical practitioner (not including a consultant or physician) where a pap smear and at least on preventative health check is taken by a practice nurse on behalf of the medical practitioner. MBS rebate = $21.25

Item number 10995 can be claimed by a medical practitioner (not including a consultant or physician) where a pap smear and at least one preventative health check is taken by a practice nurse on behalf of the medical practitioner and the patient is a woman between the ages of 20-69 inclusive, who has not had a pap smear in the last 4 years. MBS rebate = $21.25

Services for items 10994 and 10995 must include a pap smear and at least one preventative check from the following:

·    Checks for sexually transmitted infections (including Chlamydia)

·    Taking of a sexual and reproductive history

·    Advice on contraception

·    Breast awareness education

·    Advice on post natal issues

·    Continence advice and education

and may also include:

  • Smoking, Nutrition, Alcohol and Physical Activity (SNAP) risk factor assessment

  • Blood pressure measurement

 

For further information regarding the above item numbers please refer to the Medicare Benefits Schedule Book online at www9.health.gov.au/mbs or visit the Department of Health and Ageing (DoHA) website at http://www.health.gov.au   A DoHA informaton sheet is also available, along with an IDGP Summary Table of Practice Nurse MBS item numbers.

Registered and Enrolled Nurses need to be appropriately qualified to undertake cervical screening and preventative health checks.  This means that they need to have undertaken a state or nationally credentialled course.  Sponsorship is available for nurses wishing to undertake further training in cervical screening and preventative checks. 

GPs please note, it is important to establish if your practice nurse is qualified to undertake cervical screening, and that this activity is listed in the nurse’s position (job) description, and covered under the practice’s professional indemnity policy.  It is strongly advisable to have a position description for nursing staff working within your practice which outlines the scope of their role.  This is especially helpful when discussing coverage of staff with your professional indemnity insurer, and establishing the scope of competence of your nursing staff.

Please contact Anne Harding, IDGP Practice Nursing Program Officer for further information.  Ph:  4226 7052 or aharding@idgp.org.au

5 November 2006