$200 MILLION TO REDUCE OUT OF POCKET FOR SCANS
The Liberal National Government will help reduce the out of pocket medical expenses for Australian families needing life-saving scans like ultrasounds and X-rays with an almost $200 million investment
Member for Bonner Ross Vasta said for the first time in 20 years the indexation of Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) items will be expanded to all ultrasound and diagnostic radiology services over three years from July 1 2020.
“This means that the Medicare rebates for about 90 per cent of all diagnostic imaging services will now be indexed,” Mr Vasta said.
“This includes X-rays for fractures, mammograms, pregnancy ultrasounds, echocardiograms, angiograms, image guided procedures and CT scans for the diagnosis and management of cancer.”
“More than nine million Australian patients use diagnostic imaging services each year.”
Health Minister Greg Hunt said our plan for a strong economy continues to deliver record funding for essential health services that saves lives.
“We are delivering what Labor hasn’t,” Minister Hunt said.
“This investment will support patients needing these important diagnostic services and encourage diagnostic imaging providers to maintain or increase their level of bulk billing.”
“It will reduce the burden on Australian families when a family member needs diagnostic imaging scans.”
“Diagnostic imaging for every child who breaks an arm, older Australians with broken hips and even a simple broken finger will receive a higher rebate.”
“Ultrasounds for pregnant women, people needing cardiac ultrasounds and ultrasound guided procedures will also receive higher rebates.”
Member for Bonner Ross Vasta said this announcement comes after the recently announced expansion of Medicare eligibility for an additional 50 MRI units across Australia at an estimated cost of $375 million over four years, benefiting over 800,000 Australians.
“I’m proud to have secured a bulk billed MRI license for Qscan Carindale, this service will enable constituent’s access to bulk billed scans that allow detailed views of the soft tissues of the body such as muscles, ligaments, brain tissue, discs and blood vessels,” Mr Vasta said.
“It is used by doctors to diagnose and monitor number of different medical conditions including cancer and trauma or sporting injuries. These scans save and protect lives.”
“We have also recently added important new diagnostic imaging services to the Medicare such as MRI of the prostate, liver and three dimensional breast tomosynthesis for the diagnosis of breast cancer.”
“This is in addition to the indexation of the MBS items for computed tomography, fluoroscopy, mammography and interventional radiology, also commencing from 1 July 2020, announced in the 2017-18 Budget.”