Whoever wins the 3 May federal election should delay and re-consult on the incoming restrictions on Medicare rebates for vitamin B12 and urine tests, the AMA says.

The current government plans to limit MBS item 66839 for quantification of B12 markers such as holotranscobalamin or methylmalonic acid (schedule fee $42.95) to one claim per patient a year, starting 1 July.

It also plans to restrict indications for MBS item 69333 for urine examination (schedule fee $20.55) to patients with UTI symptoms or high-risk groups, such as pregnant women.

The government says the changes will align the time limits of B12 marker and serum tests, given the marker test is intended to follow low or equivocal serum results, while the urine test change will reduce unnecessary proof-of-cure tests after UTIs.