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rTMS credentialling for psychiatrists
rTMS is listed on the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) for the treatment of major depressive disorder.
To claim Medicare items for rTMS services, psychiatrists must meet specific training and ongoing professional development requirements.
rTMS services must be delivered by the psychiatrist or another healthcare professional on the psychiatrist’s behalf.
It is the responsibility of the psychiatrist claiming the item to ensure that the person providing the treatment is appropriately and formally trained in rTMS.
Training requirements
- 'Grandparenting': Psychiatrists who provided rTMS treatment prior to November 1, 2021, and met the criteria to qualify under 'grandparenting' rules may claim MBS items without additional training.
- RANZCP-endorsed training courses: From May 1, 2022 all psychiatrists wishing to claim MBS items for rTMS must complete a RANZCP-endorsed training course.
Ongoing CPD requirements
Psychiatrists have ongoing CPD requirements to claim Medicare (MBS) items for rTMS.
They are:
- Reference to rTMS in your Professional Development Plan.
- Minimum 10 hours of CPD activities annually relating to rTMS, spread across:
- Section 2: Formal Peer Activities (e.g. participation in a rTMS Peer Review group)
- Section 3: Practice Improvement Activities (e.g. audit of a rTMS practice or service)
- Section 4: Self-Guided Learning Activities (e.g. attending rTMS workshops, neurostimulation conferences, reading journal articles).
Auditing and evidence
In the event of an audit by Medicare and/or AHPRA, psychiatrists must provide evidence of meeting their ongoing CPD requirements and previous training.
Resources
- RANZCP endorsed rTMS training courses
- Position statements and clinical guidelines
- MBS website: rTMS item numbers, explanatory notes and factsheet
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