An anatomical debate has erupted over the MBS item descriptors for regional anaesthetic, after three skin cancer doctors were investigated by the PSR over inappropriate claims.

All three cases involved a variety of items, mainly including GP attendances and skin cancer excisions, and the doctors were subsequently told to repay $1.2 million.

But the watchdog also questioned their claims for regional anaesthetics using MBS item 18234, and decided to ban them from that item for between six and 36 months.

According to its descriptor, 18234 is for “injection of an anaesthetic agent into a primary division of the trigeminal nerve”, with an out-of-hospital rebate of $107.85.