Changes to access for Medicare benefits for cleft and craniofacial patients

From 1 November 2023 the current age restrictions relating to patients with cleft and craniofacial conditions have been removed, expanding access to Medicare benefits for patients of all ages with these conditions. 

Previously, to be eligible for Medicare benefits, people with cleft and craniofacial conditions must be under the age of 22.

The changes remove age restrictions from the Health Insurance Act 1973 and mean that patients of all ages to access Medicare benefits according to clinical need.

These changed to access to Medicare benefits are the direct result of the work of the MBS Review Taskforce with 29 recommendations being handed down, one of which was the amendments to patient eligibility requirements. 

Further recommendations will be implemented in March 2024 and ensure that current cleft dental MBS items align with contemporary clinical practice.
 

For more information, read the Expanding patient access to Cleft Dental Services factsheet