A new era in service provision for people with eating disorders in Australia : 2019 Medicare Benefit Schedule items and the role of psychiatrists

Eating disorders (EDs) are common, associated with a severe health burden and a huge treatment gap.1 In 2017 a South Australian general population survey the overwhelming majority of people with bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder or other EDs were not receiving mental healthcare, and this was despite very frequent consultations with their general practitioner (GP) which were critical to accessing specialist care.1 Thus, the introduction in 2019 by the Federal Australian Government of an extensive reimbursement program for the outpatient care of people with EDs is a timely and major step forward.