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MBS item 23 - clinical fact sheet and MCQ

25 March 2025 - A/Prof Stephen Barnett

This fact sheet addresses frequently asked questions and compliance considerations to help GPs ensure accurate billing of Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) item 23 (a Level B consultation). This is one of the most commonly used item numbers in general practice and is a key item number that features in Medicare compliance issues, with numerous cases involving practitioners repaying inappropriate claims.[1]

Item 23 applies to a professional attendance by a general practitioner for a standard consultation lasting more than 6 minutes but usually less than 20 minutes. 

From MBS Schedule: Professional attendance by a general practitioner at consulting rooms (other than a service to which another item in this Schedule applies), lasting at least 6 minutes and less than 20 minutes and including any of the following that are clinically relevant:

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A/Prof Stephen Barnett
A/Prof Stephen Barnett

Stephen is a GP Supervisor, Medical Educator, GP academic and Medical Director of Medcast. He has completed a PhD on Virtual Communities of Practice in GP Training.

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