May Budget expected to bring long-awaited GP MRI rebates
3rd May 2011 - Medical Observer
Byron Kaye all articles by this authorGP REFERRALS for MRIs could finally be granted MBS rebates as the Federal Government confirms it is “reviewing” funding arrangements for radiology ahead of the release of next week’s Federal Budget.
The widely anticipated measures, long advocated by doctors’ groups, would see MRIs subsidised for children under 16.
The changes would mean young patients could more easily recoup most of the cost of the radiation-free, higher-accuracy alternative to CT scans, now seen by experts as the standard for examinations of several spinal, knee, brain and abdominal conditions.
Currently, patients of all ages can receive a rebate of $350–$430, but only when ordered by a non-GP specialist. GPs have been agitating for years to have the rebates available directly from their referrals, arguing the system is inequitable because it discourages lower-income patients from having the investigation.
When questioned about speculation the Government will offer the rebates for GP-ordered MRIs for children, a spokesperson for Health Minister Nicola Roxon declined to comment directly but said the Department of Health was “currently reviewing diagnostic imaging arrangements”.
RACGP vice-president Dr Elizabeth Marles said she would be “very pleased” by any measure to cut children’s exposure to even the low levels of ionising radiation in a CT scan. She predicted that rather than risking a “budget blowout”, the rebate would save taxpayer money by reducing specialist visits.
“It’s not going to be a commonplace investigation,” Dr Marles said.
“If you had significant neurological concerns about a child, you’d get a specialist anyway. By giving them the ability to have an MRI, you’d be able to determine if there were any brain tumours or things like that. You’ve got a better idea from the outset.”
The change may require additional CPD training on appropriate and safe ordering of MRIs and the college would work with Government to develop a program, Dr Marles said.
“We would support some sort of education for GPs so they would be comfortable to be able to use MRIs appropriately.”
GP Dr Brian Morton, chair of the AMA’s Council of General Practice, said it would make “the right test for the right reason” more easily available and would speed up treatments.
GPs could “initiate the management rather than having to wait for the specialist”, he said.
However, Dr Morton called for any rebate for GP-initiated MRI to be extended to include non-child examinations best done with MRI, including for spinal radiculopathy, knee injuries and multiple sclerosis.
Dr Ron Shnier, president of the Australian Diagnostic Imaging Association, said although radiation levels in CT were low, making MRI more accessible to children would improve safety.
The widely anticipated measures, long advocated by doctors’ groups, would see MRIs subsidised for children under 16.
The changes would mean young patients could more easily recoup most of the cost of the radiation-free, higher-accuracy alternative to CT scans, now seen by experts as the standard for examinations of several spinal, knee, brain and abdominal conditions.
Currently, patients of all ages can receive a rebate of $350–$430, but only when ordered by a non-GP specialist. GPs have been agitating for years to have the rebates available directly from their referrals, arguing the system is inequitable because it discourages lower-income patients from having the investigation.
When questioned about speculation the Government will offer the rebates for GP-ordered MRIs for children, a spokesperson for Health Minister Nicola Roxon declined to comment directly but said the Department of Health was “currently reviewing diagnostic imaging arrangements”.
RACGP vice-president Dr Elizabeth Marles said she would be “very pleased” by any measure to cut children’s exposure to even the low levels of ionising radiation in a CT scan. She predicted that rather than risking a “budget blowout”, the rebate would save taxpayer money by reducing specialist visits.
“It’s not going to be a commonplace investigation,” Dr Marles said.
“If you had significant neurological concerns about a child, you’d get a specialist anyway. By giving them the ability to have an MRI, you’d be able to determine if there were any brain tumours or things like that. You’ve got a better idea from the outset.”
The change may require additional CPD training on appropriate and safe ordering of MRIs and the college would work with Government to develop a program, Dr Marles said.
“We would support some sort of education for GPs so they would be comfortable to be able to use MRIs appropriately.”
GP Dr Brian Morton, chair of the AMA’s Council of General Practice, said it would make “the right test for the right reason” more easily available and would speed up treatments.
GPs could “initiate the management rather than having to wait for the specialist”, he said.
However, Dr Morton called for any rebate for GP-initiated MRI to be extended to include non-child examinations best done with MRI, including for spinal radiculopathy, knee injuries and multiple sclerosis.
Dr Ron Shnier, president of the Australian Diagnostic Imaging Association, said although radiation levels in CT were low, making MRI more accessible to children would improve safety.
Comments:
bubbles
3rd May 2011
5:12pm
Finally! I also hope they are going to consider the CT Coronary Angiogram having some form of rebate as well.
