Multiple operation rule

If two or more MBS items from Category 3, Group T8 are being performed on a patient on the one occasion, the multiple operation rule will apply when determining the fees payable for these services.

Items in Subgroup 12 of Group T8 (ie. amputations) are not subject to this rule.

In most cases, operations include pre-procedure, intra-procedure and post-procedure work. When multiple procedures are performed on the one occasion, there will be overlap in this work. The multiple operation rule will account for this overlap.

The multiple operation rule is applied as follows:

Surgical procedures:

Includes surgical procedures set out in MBS Group T8, Subgroups 1 to 11, 13, 16 and 17

• 100% for the item with the greatest WorkCover fee;
• plus 50% for the item with the next greatest WorkCover fee;
• plus 25% for each other item.

Orthopaedic/Hand surgery procedures:

Includes orthopaedic procedures set out in MBS Group T8, Subgroups 14 and 15

• 100% for the item with the greatest WorkCover fee;
• plus 75% for the item with the next greatest WorkCover fee;
• plus 75% of each other item.

Where a medical practitioner performs both surgical and orthopaedic procedures on the one occasion, each rule applies in its entirety to the relevant items. This will result in two items with fees at 100%.

The following table illustrates how the rule will be applied to multiple operations: