7Interpretation of items 104 to 131 and 300 to 388

7 Interpretation of items 104 to 131 and 300 to 388

(1) In items 104 to 131 and 300 to 388, a reference to an attendance on a patient by a specialist, or consultant physician, in the practice of his or her specialty following referral of the patient to him or her:

(a) includes such an attendance on a patient who:

(i) has declared that a written referral of the patient was completed by a medical practitioner; or

(ii) in an emergency (within the meaning of subregulation 30 (5) of the Health Insurance Regulations 1975) has not been referred to the specialist, or consultant physician, if the specialist or consultant physician decides that it is necessary in the patient’s interests to provide the service mentioned in the item as soon as practicable without a referral; but

(b) does not include such an attendance if:

(i) the attendance forms part of a single course of treatment in which the first service was provided more than 12 months (or such other period, if any, set by the referring practitioner in, or in connection with, the referral) before the attendance; and

(ii) a later referral has not been made.

(2) For this rule, referral means referral by a referring practitioner.