MBS changes for general practice from 1 November

Press/Media: Expert Comment

Description

Diagnosis of hypertension via ambulatory blood pressure monitoring
A new MBS item (11607) will be introduced for diagnosis of hypertension through ambulatory blood pressure monitoring for people with suspected hypertension.

Subject

Ambulatory blood pressure

Hypertension

Period29 Oct 2021

Media contributions

1

Media contributions

  • TitleMBS changes for general practice from 1 November
    Degree of recognitionNational
    Media name/outletNews GP
    Media typeWeb
    Country/TerritoryAustralia
    Date29/10/21
    DescriptionDiagnosis of hypertension via ambulatory blood pressure monitoring
    A new MBS item (11607) will be introduced for diagnosis of hypertension through ambulatory blood pressure monitoring for people with suspected hypertension...

    Mark Morgan, Bond University Professor of General Practice and Chair of RACGP Expert Committee – Quality Care, welcomes the new MBS item number.

    ‘It is good to see that patients will be able to access a rebate for ambulatory blood pressure monitoring,’ he told newsGP.

    ‘Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring gets around the “excusitis” that is common in clinical practice where high blood pressure is blamed on rushing around or the last cup of coffee.

    ‘Evidence suggests that ambulatory monitoring is a good predictor of clinical outcomes associated with high blood pressure. These include heart attacks, heart failure, chronic kidney disease and stroke.’

    Professor Morgan said current guidelines suggest that absolute cardiovascular risk calculation should use carefully collected clinic blood pressure readings. This aligns with recommendations from the RACGP Red Book that support the use of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring or home-measurements when there are indicators that clinic blood pressure is unreliable.

    ‘For most patients, high blood pressure should be managed with lifestyle risk reductions,’ Professor Morgan said.

    ‘With a few exceptions, medication should be reserved for patients with high absolute cardiovascular risk where it is recommended to use a statin and antihypertensive.’

    More information on the news item number is available on the MBS Online fact sheet and quick reference guide.
    Producer/AuthorMorgan Liotta
    URLhttps://www1.racgp.org.au/newsgp/professional/mbs-changes-for-general-practice
    PersonsMark Morgan