Twenty new colonoscopy items will soon be added to the Medicare Benefits Schedule, to replace two “outdated” codes.

The Gastroenterological Society of Australia has welcomed the changes – announced last week – for the diagnostic procedure performed more than 600,000 times each year under the MBS.

The change, which comes out of the national review of Medicare, will be introduced next March pending parliamentary approval.

New GESA president Professor Narci Teoh said the replacement of items 32090 and 32093 align with NHMRC guidelines, and come after the review identified both underuse and overuse of the procedure.

“Firstly, the two numbers we have used for some time now require update and second, to ensure patients have equitable access to colonoscopy when indicated, that they undergo colonoscopy for indications that are evidence-based and at appropriate intervals.”

The new items will also address help barriers to access identified in the Australian Atlas of Healthcare Variation which found uptake rates in 2013-14 were 30 times higher in some parts of Australia compared to others.

Rates were higher in high socioeconomic populations in metropolitan areas and decreased with distance from major cities.

“There are parts of Melbourne or Sydney where you are seeing that 30-fold increase, versus the Northern Territory. There is an issue with people who need the procedures not getting them done, versus some individuals are getting very frequent colonoscopies.

If we are reducing excessive servicing we are freeing up time and resources for patients who need them.

What will it mean for gastroenterologists in practice?

It will add some complexity to administration and logistics thereof but it will also introduce better practice, practice aligned with evidence; it will ensure what our patients are receiving is best possible care.”