The Federal Minister for Health and Ageing, Nicola Roxon, has announced the new MBS rates for cataract surgery which will apply from 1 February 2010, subject to agreement by the Senate. These rates have been agreed with the Australian Society of Ophthalmologists. The new rates are:
| Item | Service | MBS to 31/10/09 | MBS 1/2/10 |
| 42702 | Lens extraction and insertion of artificial lens | $831.60 | $731.80 |
| 42698 | Lens extraction | $650.25 | $572.20 |
| 42701 | Insertion of Artificial lens | $362.60 | $319.10 |
The Minister also announced that the Government had reached agreement with the Ophthalmologists that there will be a review of all ophthalmology items on the MBS and that there will be a freeze on the indexation of cataract items until November 2011.
A copy of the Minister’s media release can be downloaded at http://www.health.gov.au/internet/ministers/publishing.nsf/Content/mr-yr10-nr-nr015.htm
