St Andrew’s Hospital win means cheaper MRI scans for Brisbane patients
Need an MRI but shocked by the exorbitant cost? The most expensive medical scans can now be bulk billed after a Brisbane hospital scored a full Medicare licence. This decision could save you thousands.
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CHEAPER or even free MRI scans are now available for more Brisbane patients.
St Andrew’s War Memorial Hospital today scored a full Medicare licence for their $2 million dollar MRI machine, allowing them to bulk bill scans under eligible conditions.
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UnitingCare Queensland CEO Craig Barke said this was good news for those looking for affordable treatment.
“This licence will benefit the health and wellbeing of the people of Brisbane and surrounding
communities long into the future,” Mr Barke said.
“We conduct approximately 6,000 MRI scans at St Andrew’s every year, and today’s granting of this Medicare licence for our MRI machine means we can now bulk bill patients for these scans.
“This more affordable and prompt access to MRI scans for patients, which results in faster diagnosis of medical conditions and improved clinical outcomes.”
Bulk billing scans means most people who have eligible conditions would pay no out-of-pocket costs. North Devils footballer Calum Gahan, 21, says it will save him a small fortune across the course of his career.
“I wouldn’t know exactly but it would be in the thousands,” he said when asked how much he had spent on MRIs so far during his years playing the sport.
“The out of pocket (cost) is what does it for me, especially being young and trying to make a footy career out of it.”
He’s just had surgery to repair a meniscal root tear in his right knee. His orthopaedic specialist, Dr Kelly Macgroarty, sent him to have two MRIs.
“They are not the funnest thing,” Calum said. “They take a while and make lots of loud noises but they have to happen.
“I want to have a long career and part of that is managing injuries well.”
He is back playing after a few months of recovery.
“I’ve started the year well and am going good so far,” Calum said.
Dr Macgroarty, who leads Brisbane Knee and Shoulder Clinic from St Andrew’s, said MRIs were integral to his work because the process produced highly detailed images with the added benefit of no radiation.
“I see about 20 to 30 new patients per week, and of those, I would think at least half would need MRI scan,” he said. “When you then combine that with follow up patients who may need repeat scans, you can see the number of scans we order does add up. It’s an integral part of managing those patients and getting good outcomes.
An MRI is a commonly used medical scan which gives a detailed view of the soft tissues of
the body such as muscles, ligaments, brain tissue, discs and blood vessels.
It is used by doctors to diagnose and monitor a number of different medical conditions
including cancer and trauma or sporting injuries.
Only Medicare eligible conditions will be bulked billed, but most scans ordered by specialists are covered. A small number of scans ordered by GPs qualify for Medicare rebates.
The decision was announced this morning at St Andrew’s by Brisbane MP Trevor Evans.
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The hospital had been lobbying the Federal Government to upgrade their partial licence to a full one, after 10 full licences were handed out as a result of Senate Inquiry into access to Diagnostic Imaging in Australia. The Department of Health then invited applications from imaging companies for 40 further licences. They received 490 applications, and St Andrew’s was chosen as a recipient.
“Today’s granting of this Medicare-eligible MRI licence by the Federal Government is
welcome recognition of the critical role St Andrew’s War Memorial Hospital plays in the
delivery of high-quality healthcare services to both Brisbane and the broader Queensland
community,” Mr Barke said.
“On behalf of St Andrew’s War Memorial Hospital and our patients, I would like to thank the
Federal Government and especially acknowledge the Federal Member for Brisbane, Mr
Trevor Evans, for his support and advocacy for the granting of a Medicare-eligible MRI
licence to St Andrew’s.”
Mr Evans congratulated the hospital.
“This announcement of a new MRI licence for St Andrew’s Hospital is a win for patients in
Brisbane who will be able to access lifesaving scans for cancer, stroke, heart and those
presenting to St Andrew’s 24/7 emergency centre,” he said.
Mr Hunt said: “Not only will our new Medicare support ensure patients get better treatment and save money, it will also cut down the amount of time patients travel to get a scan”.
“Our investment in MRI licences of over $375 million over the forward estimates for 50 new
locations around the country delivers on the Government’s commitment to improve access
and outcomes for patients.
“Unlike Labor we have also committed to reduce the cost for patients by indexing targeted
diagnostic imaging services including mammography, fluoroscopy, CT scans and
interventional procedures.
“Under the Liberal National Government, Medicare spending is guaranteed and increasing
every year from $24 billion in 2017—18 to $28.8 billion in 2021—22 to support health care for
every Australian.
“The Government is committed to delivering improved health services which includes
increased hospital funding with an extra $8 billion for hospitals taking it to $29.5 billion over
five years.”
Patients or their referring doctor can call St Andrew’s Medical Imaging on (07) 3831 4333 to discuss their MRI referral and make a booking for a bulk billed MRI scan.
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* Other political candidates for the Seat of Brisbane have been contacted for comment. More to come.
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