ABOUT AIMAC

During the pandemic the service was provided free of charge.

By 2023, the growing volume and complexity of questions — and the constant evolution of Medicare law — required a sustainable model. Answers needed ongoing review, updating and legal oversight. MBS Answers therefore transitioned to a modest paid subscription to ensure accuracy, independence and continuity.

Today, MBS Answers delivers answers that replaces folklore and opinion with law, clarity and accountability — for all health professionals and the future integrity of Medicare.

If your question is urgent or relates to an active dispute, audit, or investigation, you should seek independent legal advice. MBS Answers is designed to provide authoritative guidance, not real-time crisis management.

Margaret Faux

Dr Margaret Faux is a nurse-turned-lawyer and one of Australia’s leading experts on Medicare and health insurance law. She has worked across the health system for over 40 years, including hands-on administration of millions of medical claims. She holds a PhD in medical billing compliance and is the author of How to Avoid the Medical Bill Rip-Off! a consumer guide to Medicare, private health insurance, and hidden healthcare costs. Margaret regularly provides expert evidence and advice in legal matters involving the interpretation of Medicare law and MBS items.

Bruce Topperwien

Bruce Topperwien is a former General Manager and General Counsel of the Professional Services Review Agency (the Medicare Regulator) and one of Australia’s most experienced Medicare law specialists. He has advised governments, insurers, hospitals, and legal practitioners on Medicare compliance and is the author of Health Insurance Act – Cases & Commentary, the leading legal text on Medicare billing law. Bruce brings deep regulatory, statutory, and case-law expertise to every answer published on MBS Answers.

While content on this site is not legal advice, we will support you in any legal or regulatory proceedings that challenge our answers provided that:

1. You have followed our guidance strictly, and

2. You have not failed to disclose any material fact that would have altered our answer.

You should also read our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy for more information.

Where the law is conditional or fact-dependent, we will clearly state any limitations using language such as:

“Yes, except where…”

“In our view, no — unless…”

Each answer also specifies who it applies to. For example, supervision rules relevant to oncologists may not apply in the same way to pain specialists.

Each answer clearly displays the date it was last reviewed or updated, and subscribers are encouraged to check back regularly.

We do not answer basic or administrative queries such as:

“Is there an item number for this?”

For those questions, consult the Medicare Benefits Schedule directly or contact Services Australia.

We do not provide business advisory services through this forum. For advisory services, please contact Synapse here.

We also assume subscribers have a working knowledge of Medicare fundamentals. Questions about basic principles will not be answered.

For example, questions such as “Why doesn’t Medicare reimburse the full schedule fee for specialists?” are comprehensively covered in the Leo Cussen Centre for Law Medicare billing foundation course, which we strongly recommend.

Answers are published anonymously

All answers are shared with all paid subscribers

Questions submitted without proper identification may remain unanswered

While MBS Answers is primarily used by health practitioners, anyone is welcome to subscribe.