Cleft lip and cleft palate scheme
Practitioner eligibility
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
Under the Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate Scheme dental practitioners performing oral and maxillofacial surgery previously needed approval to enable prescribed dental patients to receive Medicare benefits.
However, from 1 November 2004 a practitioner must have medical qualifications and be recognised as a specialist by Medicare Australia before being able to access Medicare benefits for cleft lip and cleft palate services.
The practitioner is now required to apply for specialist recognition via the Specialist Recognition Advisory Committee in the State/Territory in which he/she will be practicing.
Accredited Orthodontists
Recognition as an accredited orthodontist will enable prescribed dental patients to receive Medicare benefits under the cleft lip and cleft palate scheme.
Dental practitioners who are registered as orthodontists with the relevant State/Territory Dental Board may be accredited by the Minister without consideration by the Medical Benefits (Dental Practitioners) Advisory Committee (DPAC).
Dental practitioners who do not have State/Territory registration as orthodontists may apply to the DPAC for recommendation to the Minister for Health and Ageing. Practitioners need to provide evidence that their qualifications or experience demonstrate competence in the field of orthodontics.
To apply for accreditation you will need to complete the following form:
Completed application forms must be sent to:
Secretariat
Dental Practitioners Advisory Committee
Medicare Australia
PO Box 1001
Tuggeranong DC ACT 2901
For more information please call Medicare Australia Medicare provider eligibility on 02 6124 6753.
Patient eligibility
How do I know if my patient is eligible?
The patient must be eligible for Medicare and have a cleft lip and cleft palate patient identification card.
How does my patient register?
A medical or dental practitioner must complete a Certification of cleft condition form and send it to Medicare Australia. The patient, or their parent, is then sent a cleft lip and cleft palate patient identification card.
How does my patient get a new card?
If your patient hasn't received a new cleft lip and palate patient identification card, or their details have changed, the patient may contact Medicare Australia on 1300 652 492. A security check will be conducted to verify the callers' details. Alternatively details can be provided in writing to:
Medicare Australia
Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate Scheme
Support and Interpretation Section
PO Box 9822
PERTH WA 6848
Is there an age limit?
The upper age limit for receiving Medicare benefits for cleft lip and cleft palate conditions is now 28 years. This means that all current holders of cleft lip and cleft palate patient identification cards are now eligible for benefits until they reach 28 years.
Before 18 December 2002 the upper age limit was 22 years. For those who turned 22 before 18 December 2002 Medicare benefits are not claimable for the period between when they turned 22 and 18 December 2002.
For example, if the patient turned 22 years of age on 1 September 2002, they cannot claim any Medicare benefits for cleft lip and cleft palate treatments between 1 September and 18 December 2002.
What if my patient has never been registered in the scheme?
If your patient is over 22 years of age and has not previously been registered in the scheme they will not be eligible for registration or any benefits under the scheme.
Payments, how do I bill cleft lip and cleft palate services?
The accounts need to have:
- an item number or a description of the service
- the patient’s number that appears on their cleft lip and cleft palate patient identification card, and
- an indication that the service was for treatment associated with their cleft condition.
What are Permanent Dentition Treatment Items 75039 to 75048?
Permanent dentition treatment items 75039 to 75048 usually form the final stage of treatment for a cleft condition, which is to correct the occlusion (bite).
What is the Medicare benefit for these treatments?
The Medicare benefit for these treatments is based on a three-year period. The payment system applies a time dependency restriction between items 75039 to 75048:
- a minimum of three months (90 days) between the items
- a maximum of 36 months of the combined total
- Item 75039 (single arch) is the initial treatment item in a course of treatment to permanently correct the occlusion
- Item 75045 (two arch) is the initial treatment item in a course of treatment to permanently correct the occlusion.
- Item 75039 can attract a Medicare benefit twice in a patient’s lifetime
- Item 75045 can only attract a Medicare benefit once
- Items 75042 (single arch) and 75048 (two arch) are the following three months of active treatment to a maximum of 33 months
- Items 75042 and 75048 can attract a Medicare benefit 11 times in a patient’s lifetime
- Item 75042 can attract a Medicare benefit a further 11 times if both jaws are treated in separate treatment episodes
- Item 75800 provides for preventative treatment and prophylaxis of not less than 30 minutes duration each attendance to a maximum of three in a 12 month period.
Extenuating circumstances will be considered and clinical details should be sought from the accredited orthodontist and sent to:
Medicare Australia
Medicare Assessing Section
PO Box 1001
Tuggeranong DC ACT 2901
What are the payment arrangements for Items 75039 to 75048?
Regardless of the payment arrangements between the accredited orthodontist and the patient or patient’s parent/carer, the account must indicate a date of service that is three months since the previous service so that it complies with the description of the item, ‘subsequent three months of active treatment’.
Contact for further information
For further information about the scheme please call Medicare on 132 150 or 1300 652 492.
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Last updated: 5 November, 2009