Proposed new colonoscopy items will fail 10% of patients: AMA

The MBS Review Taskforce wants to limit surveillance colonoscopies
AMA president Dr Tony Bartone
AMA president Dr Tony Bartone.

Proposed Medicare items for surveillance colonoscopies are too strict and could lead to the suboptimal treatment of 10% of patients, the AMA has warned.

The MBS Review Taskforce has recommended a new set of five items — all worth $334.35 — that would restrict funding for screening colonoscopies when not based on a positive FOBT result.