Cessation of COVID-19 vaccine support items from 1 July 2025 

The Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) items for COVID-19 vaccine suitability assessments, and associated items, will cease from 1 July 2025. This is an important step in transitioning the arrangements for COVID-19 vaccinations to business-as-usual arrangements.  

From 1 July 2025, general practitioners can use general attendance items when assessing a patient’s suitability for a COVID-19 vaccination. 

What are the changes?  

Effective 1 July 2025, MBS items for the assessment of a patient’s suitability for a COVID-19 vaccine, and associated items, will cease. The ceasing items are: 93644, 93645, 93646, 93647, 93653, 93654, 93655, 93656, 10660, 10661, 93660, 93661, and 90005.  

From 1 July 2025, general practitioners should use the time-tiered general attendance items (or any other relevant items) when assessing a patient’s suitability for a COVID-19 vaccination. This is consistent with the arrangements for other vaccinations, including those on the National Immunisation Program Schedule.  

The standard MBS rules will continue to apply to attendance items. As a result:  

• The service must be provided by a medical practitioner for an MBS benefit to be paid. It cannot be provided by a suitably qualified health practitioner on behalf of a medical practitioner, and  

• Bulk billing will no longer be mandatory. Bulk billing incentives will be payable when an eligible patient is bulk billed.  
  

What does this mean for providers?  

Providers will now be able to use the same items for delivering COVID-19 vaccine-related services as all other vaccinations. COVID-19 vaccination assessments will be able to be provided as part of a general consultation. 

Providers will no longer be required to bulk bill COVID-19 vaccine-related services. Bulk billing incentives will be paid when eligible patients are bulk billed.  

How will these changes affect patients?  

Patients will still be able to access COVID-19 vaccine related services, including having their suitability assessed and administration of the vaccine. Arrangements will be simpler and consistent with other vaccinations. The requirements for a doctor to bulk bill will be removed, meaning doctors can set their own fees, which may be more than the relevant Medicare benefit.  

Where can I find more information 

See Cessation of COVID-19 vaccine support items from 1 July 2025. 

The full item descriptors and information on other changes to the MBS can be found on the MBS Online website. You can also subscribe to future MBS updates by visiting ‘Subscribe to the MBS’ on the MBS Online website. 

For further support on Immunisation please contact the Immunisation at CESPHN.