Doctors’ groups have failed to head off MBS restrictions for surveillance colonoscopy, which will come into effect this week.

From 1 November, gastroenterologists will have to claim different items depending on the patient’s risk profile, based on either previous histological findings or family history.

After an MBS-funded colonoscopy, patients will not be eligible for another one until a set surveillance interval has elapsed, which will depend on their risk factors.

For example, a patient with a previous history of 1-2 low-risk adenomas, both <10mm with no high-risk histological features, will only have a colonoscopy funded every five years.