Choosing the correct Medicare item number for a consultation is not always straightforward, particularly when appointment lengths vary or a patient needs an additional skin check.

In this second episode of Medicare Explained, skin cancer doctor A/Prof Tony Dicker and practice operations expert Matt Woollard explore the Medicare item numbers commonly used for GP consultations, including in skin cancer medicine. They break down the criteria for standard consultations (item 23), longer consultations (item 36), and short consultations (item 3).

The discussion examines what distinguishes these item numbers, why time spent with the patient matters, and how practice appointment schedules can support appropriate billing. They also discuss consultation documentation, tracking appointment times, and the potential compliance concerns associated with claiming longer consultation items.

For GPs working in general practice and skin cancer medicine, understanding these distinctions can help clarify how consultation item numbers apply to everyday clinical scenarios.

Listen to the episode below for a closer look at the criteria and considerations behind Medicare consultation billing.

Prefer a visual format? Watch this podcast here.

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This HealthCert Education podcast series takes GPs through the essentials of Medicare billing, building from Medicare fundamentals and consultation billing to investigations, procedures, and more complex clinical scenarios — with an initial focus on skin cancer medicine but later expanding into other areas of primary care. The series also explores billing tools and resources, compliance, and medico-legal considerations, with real case examples to help translate the principles into day-to-day clinical practice.