Referrals

What does Medicare cover?

Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) guidelines for Bone Densitometry referrals require indicating the appropriate MBS item number that the patient qualifies for AND the appropriate MBS descriptor associated with that item number.

MBS Online Note DN.1.18 - Bone Densitometry: https://www9.health.gov.au/mbs/fullDisplay.cfm?type=note&q=DN.1.18

PDF Download: MBS Items 12306-12322 (1 July 2025)

Summary of MBS Item Eligibility Criteria:

(Click item numbers to view MBS Online Item Listing)

12306 (one BMD examination every 24 months)

• Broken bones or fractures, caused by minimal trauma; OR

• Monitoring proven low bone density from previous BMD with a T-score of -2.5 or lower, or a Z-score of -1.5 or lower

12312 (one BMD examination every 12 months)

• Early menopause or had complete hysterectomy (including removal of ovaries) before the age of 45 years; OR

• Low testosterone in males defined as serum testosterone below the age matched normal range; OR

• Current glucocorticoid therapy ​for a period anticipated to last over 4 months; OR

• Any condition associated with excess glucocorticoid secretion (e.g. Cushing's syndrome)

Details: 

• Early menopause (amenorrhoea lasting more than 6 months before the age of 45 years).

• Prolonged glucocorticoid therapy defined as the commencement of a dosage of 7.5 milligrams prednisolone orally per day for a period anticipated to last at least 4 months or inhaled glucocorticoid equivalent to or greater than 800 micrograms beclomethasone dipropionate or budesonide per day.

12315 (one BMD examination every 24 months)

• Primary hyperparathyroidism; OR

• Chronic kidney (renal) disease; OR

• Chronic liver disease; OR

• Proven malabsorption disorders; OR

• Rheumatoid arthritis; OR

• Any condition associated with thyroxine excess (hyperthyroidism / thyrotoxicosis)

Details:

Malabsorption defined as faecal fat estimated at greater than 18 grams per 72 hours on a normal fat diet, or bowel disease with presumptive vitamin D malabsorption as indicated by a sub-normal circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D level, or histological proven Coeliac disease.

12321 (one BMD examination every 12 months)

• Monitoring bone density 12 months after a significant change in therapy following previous diagnosis of low bone density

Details:

Significant change in therapy defined as a change in the class of drugs, rather than a change in the dosage regimen.

12320 (one BMD examination every 5 years)

• Patient is 70 years or older and has not previously had a BMD examination (initial scan); OR

• Patient is 70 years or older and has a previous BMD T-score of -1.5 or higher

12322 (one BMD examination every 24 months)

• Patient is 70 years or older and has a previous BMD T-score lower than -1.5 and higher than -2.5