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 the complete dataset held by the Australian Government Department of Health for approved studies, including data linkage projects (see AIHW Data Integration Services Centre). 

The dataset is owned and managed by the Department of Health. The Department has issued a Public Interest Certificate approving AIHW access to MBS claims data for research and statistical purposes.

The AIHW holds valuable data on a wide range of health and welfare topics and provides end-to-end data services to ensure strong evidence is available to the community, policymakers, researchers and service providers. For more information, please see our services.

Collection details

Temporal coverage

from 1/4/2010 to 30/6/2015

Geographical coverage

National

Data availability

  • Publications;
  • Summary tables published in electronic form;
  • Statistics;
  • Client specified tables on request which may be subject to data provider approval (charges apply);
  • Unit records are not available
  • There are restrictions and limitations governing the availability or use of other data in this holding.

Data scope

MBS claims data are an administrative by-product of the Department of Human Services 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).

Methodology

Admin data

Metadata information and data quality statement (DQS)

Not specifically available for this data collection, however, the metadata prepared for the 2013-14 extract provided to states and territories may be useful to users of the data.

External links and information 

MBS online (Department of Health)

Statistics at Services Australia
Contact

[email protected]