Health Insurance (1997-98 Pathology Services Table) Regulations (Amendment) (Cth)

Statutory Rules 1998No. 203 1

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Health Insurance (1997-98 Pathology Services Table) Regulations2 (Amendment)

I, WILLIAM PATRICK DEANE, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, make the following Regulations under the Health Insurance Act 1973.

Dated 30 June 1998.

 WILLIAM DEANE

 Governor-General

By His Excellency’s Command,

 

MICHAEL WOOLDRIDGE

Minister for Health and Family Services

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1.   Commencement

1.1   These Regulations commence on 1 July 1998.

2.   Amendment

2.1   The Health Insurance (1997-98 Pathology Services Table) Regulations are amended as set out in these Regulations.

3.   Schedule (Table of pathology services)

3.1   Part 1:

Add at the end:

HIV viral RNA load testing

 “20. For items 69259 and 69260, no more than a maximum of 6 episodes for either item 69259 or item 69260, or any combination for both items, can be claimed in a 12 month period.

Hepatitis C viral RNA testing

 “21. For item 69284:

Hepatitis C sero-positive, for a patient, means 2 different assays of Hepatitis C antibodies are positive.

serological status is uncertain, for a patient, means any result where 2 different assays of Hepatitis C antibodies are inconclusive.

Haemochromatosis testing

 “22. For item 66435:

elevated serum ferritin, for a patient, means a level of ferritin above the normal reference range in respect of the particular method of assay used to determine the level.”.

3.2   Part 2:

Insert each of the following items in its correct numerical position:

Item	Pathology service	Fee $
66435	Detection of the C282Y genetic mutation for haemochromatosis where: (a) the patient has an elevated transferrin saturation or elevated serum ferritin on testing of repeated specimens; or (b) the patient has a first degree relative with haemochromatosis or with homozygosity for the C282Y genetic mutation; not exceeding 1 episode in a 3 year period (Item is subject to rule 22)	36.00
69259	Quantitation of HIV viral RNA load in plasma, serum or cerebrospinal fluid in the monitoring of a HIV sero-positive patient, who is not on antiretroviral therapy—1 or more assays on 1 or more specimens in any 1 episode to a maximum of 6 episodes in a 12 month period (Item is subject to rule 20)	176.00
69260	Quantitation of HIV viral RNA load in plasma, serum or cerebrospinal fluid in the monitoring of antiretroviral therapy in a HIV sero-positive patient—1 or more assays on 1 or more specimens in any 1 episode to a maximum of 6 episodes in a 12 month period (Item is subject to rule 20)	176.00
69284	Detection of Hepatitis C viral RNA if at least 1 of the following criteria is satisfied: (a) the patient is Hepatitis C sero‑positive and has normal liver function tests on 2 occasions 6 months apart; (b) the patient’s serological status is uncertain after testing; (c) the test is performed for the purpose of: (i) determining the Hepatitis C status of an immunosuppressed or immunocompromised patient; or (ii) the detection of acute Hepatitis C prior to seroconversion where considered necessary for the clinical management of the patient; not exceeding 1 episode in a 12 month period (Item is subject to rule 21)	64.00

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NOTES

1. Notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 1 July 1998.

2. Statutory Rules 1997 No. 299.