64 NEW Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) item numbers were introduced on 1st November 2019, to support a model of evidence-based care for eligible patients living with severe and complex eating disorders. 

Further information available on NEDC’s website.

Important information

• These item numbers are specific for patients with anorexia nervosa or with severe presentations of other eating disorders including bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder and other specified feed and eating disorders (OSFED). Practitioners should refer to the relevant diagnostic criteria set out in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).
• The eligibility criteria for patients with diagnoses other than anorexia nervosa are:
  • The person has been assessed as having an Eating Disorders Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) score of 3 or more;
  • The person’s condition is characterised by rapid weight loss, or frequent binge eating, or inappropriate compensatory behaviours (3 or more occurrences per week);
  • The person has at least two of the following:
    • Body weight less than 85% expected weight, where weight loss is directly attributable to the eating disorder;
    • current or high risk of medical complications due to eating disorder behaviours and symptoms;
    • serious co-morbid medical or psychological conditions significantly impacting on medical or psychological health status with impacts on function;
    • the person has been admitted to hospital for an eating disorder in the previous 12 months;
    • the person has experienced inadequate treatment response to evidence-based eating disorder treatment over the past six months despite active and consistent participation.
• Eligible patients will be able to receive a Medicare Rebate for:
  • the development of an Eating Disorder Plan (EDP) by a medical practitioner (including a General Practitioner, Psychiatrist or Paediatrician);
  • General Practitioner reviews of their progress against the treatment plan after every 10 sessions of psychological treatment;
  • specialist review by a Psychiatrist or Paediatrician after 20 sessions of psychological treatment;
  • up to 40 sessions of evidence-based eating disorder psychological treatment (in a 12 month period) with a suitably trained Clinical Psychologist, Registered Psychologist, Accredited Mental Health Social Worker or Accredited Mental Health Occupational Therapist, or with a General Practitioner who meets the General Practice Mental Health Standards Collaboration requirements and is entered on the Register as being eligible to render a Focused Psychological Strategy service; and
  • up to 20 dietetic services with an Accredited Practising Dietitian (in a 12 month period).
• Evidence-based treatments that have been approved for use by practitioners delivering psychological treatment in this context are:
  • Family Based Treatment (FBT) for Eating Disorders
  • Adolescent Focused Therapy for Eating Disorders
  • Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Eating Disorders (CBT-E)
  • Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Anorexia Nervosa (CBT-AN)
  • Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Bulimia Nervosa and Binge Eating Disorder (CBT-BN or CBT-BED)
  • Specialist Supportive Clinical Management (SSCM) for Eating Disorders
  • Maudsley Model of Anorexia Treatment in Adults (MANTRA)
  • Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) for Bulimia Nervosa and Binge Eating Disorder
  • Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) for Bulimia Nervosa and Binge Eating Disorder
  • Focal Psychodynamic Therapy for Eating Disorders
• It is expected that professionals will have the relevant education and training to deliver these services.
• In order to provide eating disorder dietetic services, Dietitians must be an ‘Accredited Practising Dietitian’ as recognised by the Dietitians Association of Australia (DAA).
• There will be an evaluation of the new MBS items after 12 months to assess if the MBS items are operating as intended for patients and providers.
• For any particular patient, an eating disorder treatment and management plan expires at the end of a 12 month period from commencement of the plan. After that period, a patient will require a new eating disorder treatment and management plan to continue receiving medicare rebates for eating disorder treatment services.

Navigating the New MBS Item Numbers Webinar
Presenters: Dr Gabriella Heruc, Dr Randall Long and Dr Kiera Buchanan
Please click below to access the video recording:

New information about the MBS item numbers and access to related resources will be accessible via this page as it is made available. Fact sheets are also available at MBS Online and details about patient eligibility and practitioner eligibility are contained on the Federal Register of Legislation.

Call Butterfly Foundation’s National Help Line on 1800 33 4673. Chat online or email.