Medicare Item 900 – Home Medicine Reviews
MBS Item 900 is an underutilised, yet crucial part of continuity of care. It is one of the least used items by GPs, who tend to see it as a cumbersome, labour-intensive service. But conducting a home medication review for your patients is actually one of the easiest items to complete on the MBS Schedule. And, when using a new online hub like HMR Referrals to set up the review, doctors and clinics will find the process incredibly straightforward.
What Is The Medicare Item 900?
Medicare Item 900 is the Domiciliary Medication Management Review (DMMR) or ‘Home Medication Review’ (HMR), which concerns the management and prevention of issues relating to a patient’s dosage or medications.
This item is suitable for a patient who may be having trouble using medicines, or at risk of medication misadventure – due to comorbidities, age, or social circumstances. It might also include medicines that have certain characteristics, involve a complex treatment plan, or where the patient is unsure how to take their medicines correctly.
The HMR must be conducted by an Accredited Pharmacist. An accredited pharmacist has an additional qualification and is specially trained in medication management reviews..
Who Is Eligible For Medicare Item 900?
Eligibility is based on risk factors that predispose people to adverse effects from their medications. An HMR is recommended in any of the following circumstances. For example, when the patient is:
currently taking five or more regular medications
taking more than 12 doses of medication per day
has experienced significant changes to their medication regimen
attending a number of different doctors, both general practitioners and specialists
experiencing symptoms suggestive of an adverse drug reaction
Why Are Home Medicine Reviews Important?
Failure to review medications puts eligible patients at risk of adverse reactions, suboptimal or ineffective treatment, or even hospitalisation.
Thankfully, HMRs are made much easier with HMR Referrals. GPs can send a home medication review mbs 900 referral directly to an accredited pharmacist, and the service takes care of all the necessary forms, appointments and alerts. We aim for the completed report to be returned to you within 14 days.
Our online referral service lets you access all your patient reports, contact information and treatment plans, and provides everything you need to claim for MBS item 900.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Often Can A Home Medicine Review Be Provided To The Same Patient?
A patient should be referred for a home medicine review whenever they have had a significant change to their medications, if they have recently been discharged from a hospital or medical facility, or if their GP has become aware of any difficulties that they may be experiencing with their medicine regime.
How Often Can I Bill Item 900?
According to the MBS Schedule, item 900 can only be billed once every 12 months for each patient in your care EXCEPT where there has been a significant change in the patient’s condition or medication requiring that a new HMR be conducted. An MBS claim can only be submitted once all the requirements of the home medication review (DMMR) have been completed.
Do I Need To Physically See The Patient To Be Eligible For The MBS?
Item 900 requires the medical practitioner to physically see the patient to refer a HMR and be eligible for the MBS.
Have Questions?
We’re seeking HMR accredited pharmacists right now to meet the growing demand for referrals from our partner GPs.
Contact HMR Referrals to find out more today, or register your contact and accreditation details to start receiving no obligation referrals straight away.