Applications

1814 – Bronchoscopic lung volume reduction with endobronchial valves for the treatment of severe emphysema

Find out about the service or technology in application 1814 and the medical condition it addresses. You can also view the application documents, the deadlines for providing consultation input, and the outcome of the application when the MSAC process is complete.

  • Status Pre-assessment
  • Type New application
  • Pre-PASC consultation Open
  • Pre-MSAC consultation Not yet started
  • Outcome Pending

Application details

Applicant

The Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand

Reason for application

New Medicare Benefits Schedule item.

Service or technology in this application

Bronchoscopic lung volume reduction (BLVR) is a treatment for people with severe emphysema to help them breathe more easily. During the procedure, small one-way valves are placed in certain parts of the lungs using a thin tube called a bronchoscope. These valves let trapped air escape from the damaged areas of the lungs but stop new air from getting in. This helps reduce the pressure in the lungs and can make breathing easier.

Medical condition this application addresses

Emphysema is a type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a progressive lung condition that significantly affects breathing and overall health. Emphysema occurs when the alveolar walls (thin walls of the air sacs in the lungs) are destroyed, causing permanent enlargement of air spaces. This damage reduces the elastic recoil of the lungs, leads to airway collapse during exhalation, traps air in the lungs, and results in hyperinflation and poor gas exchange. Patients with emphysema often experience severe breathlessness due to pronounced air trapping.

Consultation survey and deadlines

The following consultation deadlines apply:

  • Pre-PASC consultation deadline: Friday 13 March 2026 11:59 AEDT
  • Pre-MSAC consultation deadline: To be confirmed

For other ways to provide input, see how to have your say.

We welcome input from everyone. We are especially keen to hear from those with lived experience of the health condition, service or technology the applications are addressing.

Find out more about consultation.

Meetings to consider this application

This application will be considered at the following meetings:

  • PASC meeting: 16 to 17 April 2026
  • ESC meeting: To be confirmed
  • MSAC meeting: To be confirmed

Find out more about our meetings.

Outcome details

The outcome of this application is pending.

More information

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