MBS Eating Disorder Items

The new items for Eating Disorder services

From November 1, a suite of 64 new MBS items will be introduced to support a model of best practice, evidence-based care for eating disorders.

People living with an eating disorder will be able to get a Medicare rebate for up to 40 psychological sessions and 20 dietetic sessions in a 12-month period.

Previously, people with eating disorders (and all other mental health disorders) have had access to just 10 rebated psychological sessions.

It is expected that there will be a multidisciplinary approach to patient management through these items.

What the items cover

The item structure provides Medicare rebates for:

• the development and review of Eating Disorder treatment and management plans,

• courses of evidence-based eating disorder psychological and dietetic treatment services.

• A review by a psychiatrist or peadiatrition

Who can provide services

These items are relevant for medical practitioners in general practice, consultant psychiatrists or consultant paediatricians and eligible Clinical Psychologists and Psychologists, Occupational Therapists, Social Workers and Dietitians.

It is expected that practitioners providing services under these items should have appropriate skills, knowledge and experience to provide eating disorders treatment. For more information on treatment and training see our factsheet: MBS Treatment Options and Training

Who is Eligible?

There are two groups of eligible patients:

• Patients with a clinical diagnosis of Anorexia Nervosa; or

• Patients who meet the eligibility criteria (below), and have a clinical diagnosis of any of the following conditions:\
  i)Bulimia Nervosa\
  ii)Binge-Eating Disorder\
  iii)Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED)

The eligibility criteria for a patient is:\
a)A person who has been assessed as having an Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire score of 3 or more; and\
b)The condition is characterised by rapid weight loss, or frequent binge eating or inappropriate compensatory behaviour as manifested by 3 or more occurrences per week; and \
c)A person who has at least two of the following indicators:\
i)Clinically underweight with a body weight less than 85% of expected weight where weight loss is directly attributable to the eating disorder\
ii)Current or high risk of medical complications due to eating disorder behaviours and symptoms\
iii)Serious comorbid medical or psychological conditions significantly impacting on medical or psychological health status with impacts on function\
iv)The person has been admitted to a hospital for an eating disorder in the previous 12 months\
v)Inadequate treatment response to evidence-based eating disorder treatment over the past six months despite active and consistent participation

Please see attached PDF for the Specific Item Numbers.