23 Medicare services on chopping block

Ear, nose and throat surgeries and diagnostic imaging are among the first to face the axe in an overhaul of Medicare services.

Health Minister Sussan Ley has slated 23 items on the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) for removal in a major shake up, which she says cost $6.8 million in the past year when used 52,500 times.

Gastroenterology, obstetrics and thoratic medicine services have also been thrust onto the chopping block.

Ms Ley said a task force reviewing the 5700 MBS items would seek further advice before scrapping the first 23 items.