Each year the Australian Government updates the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS), and 1 July 2026 brought a set of changes that affect diagnostic imaging.
Fee indexation
Annual fee indexation of 2.6% was applied to most diagnostic imaging services. Positron emission tomography (PET) items in Group I4 (Subgroup 2) and nuclear medicine modifier items in Group I4 (Subgroup 3) were excluded from this round of indexation.
Imaging items updated
Changes were also made to the Health Insurance (Diagnostic Imaging Services Table) Regulations affecting a range of services, including breast imaging, nuclear medicine imaging and echocardiography.
What it means for patients
Medicare rebates are set nationally, not by individual practices. If you have a referral for a scan, it is always worth asking the practice whether your particular exam is bulk billed, because eligibility depends on the item number, your referral and your Medicare status rather than on the July changes alone.
What it means for referrers
Practices and referrers should check current item numbers and any co-claiming restrictions before requesting affected studies. The full factsheets are published on MBS Online at mbsonline.gov.au.