Expanded Medicare-funded MRI for GPs

31 October 2013

From 1 November 2013, GPs have greater access to Medicare rebateable MRI examinations.

In November last year — GPs gained MRI requesting rights for patients under the age of 16, for a small set of clinically appropriate indicators.

This year, as of 1 November, the Government has further expanded access to MRI by providing Medicare funding for GP referred scans of the head, cervical spine and knee for patients 16 years and over.

The reform of MRI and the expansion of requesting rights for GPs is a significant step forward and continues the process of making available greater access to quality and clinically indicated MRI services in Australia.

In particular, what this means is that appropriate access to MRI will be quicker and more affordable for all patients.

Medicare eligible MRI examinations from GPs are welcomed at our Salisbury, North Adelaide, Morphett Vale and Ashford scanners. At each of these sites we have the latest in wide bore MRI technology which provides the highest quality imaging for referrers, while providing quick and comfortable scans for patients.

Click here for an information sheet that further discusses GP requesting rights and outlines the clinical indications for these scans.