Diagnostic imaging items are subject to a multiple services rule. There are 3 rules, A, B and C, which may apply together. Access Anaesthetics calculates these when imaging items are added to an account.

 

Rule A.  If 2 or more diagnostic imaging services are provided to a patient on the same day, the fee for the second and subsequent items is reduced by $5.

 

Rule B.  When at least one consultation is provided to a patient on the same day, there is a reduction in the fee for the diagnostic imaging service of $35. Consultations are defined as items 1 to 10816, so this does not apply to anaesthetic consultations 17610-17690.

 

Rule C.  When a diagnostic imaging service and at least one non-consultation service is provided to the same patient on the same day, the fee for the diagnostic imaging service with the highest Schedule fee is reduced by $5. This rule will apply whenever an imaging item is used with an anaesthetic procedure.

 

For example, from Nov 2010, the Medicare fee for item 55054 is $109.10. If any anaesthetic item is also on the same account, the fee is reduced to $104.10. If a consultation item (1-10816) is on the account, the fee is reduced to $74.10. If both a consultation item and an anaesthetic item are on the account, the fee is reduced to $69.10.

 

Full details of the multiple diagnostic imaging rule is give at this link on the Medicare website.