The AMA has had an advocacy win that will improve access and affordability for patients requiring Electrocardiogram (ECG) tracing. From 1 March 2026, general practitioners can once again claim MBS item 11714 for twelve‑lead ECG tracing.
Over recent years, the AMA has pressed the government to restore fair ECG rebates so patients can receive timely care in general practice without unnecessary referrals and costs.
The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing has announced GPs will be able to bill item 11714 for an ECG trace with a contemporaneous clinical note from 1 March 2026, reversing the 2020 restrictions that sidelined general practice from this core diagnostic service.
The change is backed by a $24 million investment to amend item descriptors, so funding reflects the responsibility and clinical duty of medical practitioners delivering the service.
What this means in your practice:
- you can claim 11714 when a twelve‑lead ECG trace informs clinical decision‑making and a clinical note is recorded
- where a formal report is required, refer for specialist reporting under items 11704/11705
- you need to update your billing software and brief your teams on descriptor changes before 1 March.
We will continue working with the department on this and other MBS rebate issues.
