Measurement of spirometry, that
Diagnostic procedures and investigations · Group D1 — Miscellaneous diagnostic procedures and investigations
| Benefit | Amount | Gap to fee |
|---|---|---|
| 85% | $41.95 | $7.35 |
| 75% | $37.00 | $12.30 |
Benefit amounts as published in the schedule, not recalculated.
Fee current from 1 Jul 2026.
11505 is once per patient per 12 months, and it is for CONFIRMING a diagnosis - it should not be repeated once asthma or COPD has already been confirmed by properly performed spirometry. Monitoring, exacerbation assessment and repeat testing belong on 11506, which has no frequency cap. 11505 also requires 3 or more recordings before and after a bronchodilator with a permanently recorded tracing.
DN.1.20 Spirometry (Items 11505, 11506 and 11512)
Specialists and consultant physicians providing services under item 11512 should successfully complete a substantial course of study and training in respiratory medicine, which has been endorsed by a professional medical organisation. Specialists and consultant physicians should keep appropriate records of this training.
Spirometry services billed to the MBS should meet international quality standards (Eur Respir J 2005; 26: 319–338).
The National Asthma Council’s Australian Asthma Handbook (2016) and Lung Foundation Australia’s and Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand’s COPD-X Plan advise that properly performed spirometry is required to confirm airflow limitation and the diagnosis of asthma and/or COPD. Reversibility testing is the standard required for asthma diagnosis. The diagnosis of COPD is confirmed with post bronchodilator spirometry. Item 11505 should not be repeated when diagnosis has been previously confirmed by properly performed spirometry. To meet quality requirements patients must have three acceptable tests for each testing period (pre/post bronchodilator), and meet repeatability criteria with the best effort recorded. Spirometry should be performed by a person who has undergone training and is qualified to perform it to recommended standards (see Spirometry Handbook, National Asthma Council of Australia (https://www.nationalasthma.org.au/living-with-asthma/resources/health-professionals/information-paper/spirometry-handbook) and ATS/ERS Standardisation of spirometry paper (http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/erj/26/2/319.full.pdf).
| Item number | 11505 |
|---|---|
| Category | 2 — Diagnostic procedures and investigations |
| Group | D1 — Miscellaneous diagnostic procedures and investigations |
| Subheading | — |
| Item type | S |
| Fee type | N |
| In schedule since | 1 Nov 2018 |
| Fee current from | 1 Jul 2026 |
| GP scope | Yes · tier 1 |