Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) data collection

Full description

The Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) data collection contains information on services that qualify for a benefit under the Health Insurance Act 1973 and for which a claim has been processed. The database comprises information about MBS claims (including benefits paid), patients and service providers. AIHW has access to a view of the dataset held by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care for approved studies, including data linkage projects (see AIHW Data Integration Services Centre). The dataset is owned and managed by the Department of Health and Aged Care. The Department has issued a Public Interest Certificate approving AIHW access to MBS claims data for research and statistical purposes.

MBS claims data are an administrative by product of Services Australia administration of the Medicare fee-for service payment system. MBS services are available to all Australian residents who hold a current Medicare card and overseas visitors from countries with which Australia has a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA).

Notes

Variables to support reporting and linkage: Age (Date of birth); Sex/gender

Lineage

Methodology: Admin data