Medical Services Committee

The Medical Services Advisory Committee (MSAC), established in 1998 under the purview of the Australian Government Minister for Health, operates as an independent non-statutory committee. Their principal function is the evaluation and provision of recommendations concerning new medical services proposed for public funding. The committee thoroughly assesses the eligibility of a new medical service for public funding, taking into account factors such as comparative safety, clinical effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, and overall cost, all grounded in the best available evidence. MSAC's scope extends to encompass the review and amendment of existing services funded on the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) and other programs, including blood products, blood-related products, and screening programs. The committee's advice, firmly rooted in evidence-based assessments, plays a pivotal role in influencing decisions made by the Australian Minister for Health concerning public funding for both new and, in certain instances, existing medical procedures.

Since their establishment, MSAC has maintained a paramount objective: to enhance health outcomes for patients by ensuring that medical procedures eligible for funding under the Medicare Benefits Schedule are substantiated by robust evidence of their safety, clinical effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness. The meticulous evaluation of evidence associated with medical services has evolved into an integral aspect of the process for listing new medical technologies and services on the MBS.