Welcome to the Medical Services Advisory Committee
The principal role of the Medical Services Advisory Committee (MSAC) is to advise the Australian Minister for Health and Ageing on evidence relating to the safety, effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of new medical technologies and procedures. This advice informs Australian Government decisions about public funding for new and in some cases existing medical procedures.
Background to the establishment of the MSAC
The MSAC was established in 1998 as a measure aimed at improving health outcomes for patients by ensuring that new and existing medical procedures attracting Medicare Benefits are supported by evidence of their safety, clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness.
A key element of this measure was the establishment of a new body, the Medical Services Advisory Committee (MSAC), whose role is to advise the Minister for Health and Ageing about the strength of evidence relating to new medical technologies and procedures and the circumstances under which funding via the Medicare Benefits Schedule should be supported.
The MSAC has the capacity to assemble and review available evidence. In some circumstances, the MSAC can recommend interim funding to enable data collection, within an agreed research framework, in order to establish the evidence base.
Evaluation of evidence associated with medical services has been an integral part of the process for the listing of new medical technologies and services on the Medicare Benefits Schedule. This measure was intended to strengthen and consolidate assessment activity under the umbrella of the MSAC.
Initial consultation on the concept and design of the new assessment arrangements was concluded in 1997 and involved a broad range of stakeholders, including medical and allied professions, the medical industry, consumers and States and Territories.
For further information select the relevant topic from the menu bar or email the MSAC Secretariat on msac.secretariat@health.gov.au.