As of 1 March 2025, the Australian Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) has introduced new item numbers to support the use of the Impella® intravascular microaxial blood pump for patients requiring mechanical circulatory support. This development follows the Medical Services Advisory Committee (MSAC) Application 1523.1, which recognized the clinical need for such interventions in critically ill patients.
Key MBS Changes:
- New Items Introduced:
- 38376: Percutaneous insertion of an intravascular microaxial ventricular assist device, into the left ventricle only (Impella®).
- 38616: Surgical insertion of an intravascular microaxial ventricular assist device, into the left ventricle only (Impella®).
- 38619: Surgical removal of a left-sided intravascular microaxial ventricular assist device.
- Amended Items:
- 13851 and 13854 have been updated and now cover left sided microaxial blood pumps, however specifically exclude right sided microaxial catheters from these item numbers.
These items are intended for use in patients with cardiogenic shock requiring mechanical circulatory support. It’s important to note that the use of Impella® under these items is not intended for:
- Bridge to cardiac transplantation.
- Acute post-cardiotomy support for failure to wean from cardiopulmonary bypass.
- Cardio-respiratory support for acute cardiac failure likely to recover with short-term support of less than six weeks.
The introduction and revision of these MBS items aims to provide clearer guidance and support for intensive care specialists managing patients with severe cardiac conditions requiring advanced mechanical support.
For detailed information on these changes, please refer to the MSAC Application 1523.1 Quick Reference Guide.
Note: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or billing advice. Healthcare professionals should consult the official MBS documentation and guidelines for comprehensive details.is lectus donec tortor.
