Australian Government - Department of Health and Ageing

Medical Services Advisory Committee (MSAC)

Welcome to the Medical Services Advisory Committee

Current News


Information Sessions held in March and April 2013


Copies of the Information Session presentations held in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane on 21 and 22 March and 10 April respectively are attached: _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Guidelines 2012


Draft MSAC Guidelines Summary Available for Comment
The Department is seeking to engage with stakeholders regarding draft guidelines to support the Medical Services Advisory Committee (MSAC) assessment processes. Background to the MSAC processes is provided in the form of an:
The full MSAC guidelines will be released for public consultation on the MSAC website shortly, in the meantime a document that summarises the guidelines for MSAC's evidence appraisal process is being released for comment.

A deadline for comment on both guideline documents will be set once the draft version of the full guidelines is released. Please forward any comments to hta@health.gov.au. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

After the 57th meeting of the Medical Services Advisory Committee's minutes for the following applications appraisal are available:



After the Medical Services Advisory Committee's consideration and noting of the advice by the Minister, the following completed reviews, assessments, public summary documents and assessment reports are available:

  • 1299 – Proposed amendment to transperineal ultrasound prostate biopsy (MBS Item 37219)
  • 1300 – Removal of gynaecomastia from the liposuction component in Barraquers-Simon’s syndrome (MBS Item 45585)
  • 1180r – Review of Surgical treatment of obesity
  • 1179r – Review of Colonoscopy Items
  • 1178r – Review of Ophthalmology_Items (Stage-1)
  • 1177r – Review of Pulmonary arterial catheters (PAC)
  • 1176 – Assessment of application for Joint Injections
  • 1156 – Diagnostic use of thyrotropin alfa-rch for patients with well-differentiated thyroid cancer
  • 1153 – Genetic testing for hereditary mutation of the VHL gene
  • 1144 – Pathology tests for mycobacterial infection
  • 1146 – Capsule endoscopy for the diagnosis of suspected small bowel Crohn's disease
  • 1139 – Measurement and determination of procalcitonin (PCT)
  • 1054.1 – Review of interim funded service: hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) for the treatment of chronic non-diabetic wounds and non-neurological soft tissue radiation injuries
  • Ref 38 – Gene amplification tests for determining HER-2 status in breast cancer
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    Updated How to list on the MBS including how to apply


    This includes the:
  • Pre-assessment documentation to initiate an application to MSAC for public funding of a proposed medical service
  • 2013 meeting calendar for MSAC and its subcommittees
  • Map to assist applicants with an overview of the process for consideration of a medical service through the department
  • Dates for submission of documents for Protocol Advisory Subcommittee (PASC) consideration
  • Dates for submission of documents for Evaluation Subcommittee (ESC) and Medical Service advisory Committee (MSAC) consideration
  • A deadline for comment on both guideline documents will be set once the draft version of the full guidelines is released. Please forward any comments to hta@health.gov.au.

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    Subscribe to MSAC Email Bulletin to be notified of:


    Meeting Agenda Items
    Opportunities to Provide Feedback on Options for the Funding of Proposed Healthcare Interventions
    Recently Released Assessments
    A deadline for comment on both guideline documents will be set once the draft version of the full guidelines is released. Please forward any comments to hta@health.gov.au.

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    Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Website


    The website is part of the Australian Government's response to the December 2009 Review of Health Technology Assessment in Australia (HTA Review) and arose from stakeholders identifying the need to have comprehensive information about Australian Government HTA processes available in one central point in an easy to use format.
    The website also provides a portal to the HTA Access Point (referred to during the HTA Review as a single entry point) which will assist potential applicants seeking assessment of co-dependent and hybrid technologies.
    Access the new Australian government HTA website here: www.health.gov.au/hta

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    Page currency, Latest update: 29 April, 2013

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