What is the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS)?

The Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) is a vital part of Medicare, Australia’s universal healthcare system.

It lists all the medical services that the Australian government subsidises and pays a Medicare Benefit for. 

The MBS lists each service with:

• an item number
• a descriptor outlining the type and scope of the service
• an outline of the relevant clinical requirements
• the Medicare Schedule Fee
• the Medicare Benefit
• any additional Medicare Safety Net benefits.

Generally, the MBS includes these types of services:

• consultation services
• procedural/therapeutic (including surgical) services
• diagnostic services.

The Australian Government Department of Health manages the MBS and Services Australia administers it.

Doctors access the MBS through MBS Online, which contains the latest list of services funded under the scheme.

Once a service is listed, healthcare professionals largely use their clinical judgement and consult with their patients, to decide whether this service is appropriate.