MBS Changes to Urine Culture Testing from 1 July

From 1 July 2025, patients are only eligible for a Medicare rebate for urine cultures if clinical indications are documented on the request form. 

Medicare funding for urine culture testing is limited to:

• Patients with signs or symptoms of UTI or kidney disease (e.g. dysuria, frequency, fever, delirium, sepsis)
• Specific asymptomatic groups, including:
  • Pregnant patients
  • Children under 16 years
  • Renal transplant recipients
  • Patients with recurrent UTIs
  • Patients being investigated for or monitored for kidney disease
  • Patients undergoing urological procedures (e.g. instrumentation, TURP)

Routine testing of asymptomatic patients, including aged care residents without symptoms or tests requested without a documented a clinical indication, will no longer be eligible for Medicare funding.

Necessary actions:

• Ensure clinical indications are clearly documented when requesting urine cultures
• Refer to current guidelines for UTI and kidney disease
• Read the Amendments to Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) for urine testing in asymptomatic patients.

For more information, visit MBS Online.

For any questions, email your queries to askMBS@health.gov.au.