Australian Government - Department of Health and Ageing

Medical Services Advisory Committee (MSAC)

Application 1015

Directional vacuum-assisted breast biopsy

Application No.

1015

Application NameDirectional vacuum-assisted breast biopsy
Advisory PanelDr David Robinson
(Chair)
(MSAC member until 30/06/2004)
Dr Maxwell Coleman
(co-opted member)
Mr John Collins
(Royal Australasian College of Surgeons nominee)
Dr Graham Utley
(Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists nominee)
Dr Richard West
(co-opted member)
Ms Robyn Wicks
(Consumers' Health Forum nominee)
Date Received by MSAC Secretariat1 August 1998
Stage 1 - EligibilityEligible
Stage 2 - AssessmentCompleted
Stage 3 - Formulation of Advice to the MinisterThis assessment was considered by the MSAC at the 19 May 2000 meeting.

The MSAC notes that directional vacuum-assisted breast biopsy is currently claimable under the MBS. It is recommended on the strength of evidence pertaining to directional vacuum-assisted breast biopsy that :
  • the costs associated with the procedure should be investigated; and
  • pending review of costs, the procedure should receive interim funding at a higher remuneration than is currently available under the exisiting items for non-palpable breast lesions.
Stage 4 - DecisionEndorsed by the Minister for Health and Ageing 8 September 1999
9 February 2001 ongoing funding was approved by the Minister
Stage 5 - ImplementationImplemented