Women with breast cancer to be able to claim Medicare benefits for MRI scans
Women with breast cancer around the country will soon be able to claim Medicare rebates for MRI scans, with new changes set to take effect this week.
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Women with breast cancer will be able to claim Medicare rebates for MRI scans for the first time under changes to take effect this week.
About 14,000 patients each year – predominantly women – will benefit from the change.
From November 1, women with or suspected to have breast cancer will be able to claim Medicare for the scans.
The Medicare rebates – which will cost $32.6 million – will be available for MRI scans for the diagnosis of breast cancer in patients where other imaging was inconclusive and biopsy has not been possible.
They will also be claimable for pre-surgical planning for patients diagnosed with invasive breast cancer.
Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said the MRI services had been added to the Medicare Benefits Schedule to ensure that women vulnerable to breast cancer had affordable access to the scans.
“The new items for breast MRI will reduce the out-of-pocket costs faced by breast cancer patients,” Mr Hunt said.
“The Government is committed to making important diagnostic services more affordable and accessible for Australians.”
Additional changes will also mean fewer aged care residents will have the expense and inconvenience of having to go to hospital for X-rays from this Friday.
“For the first time, from 1 November 2019 a Medicare rebate will be available as a call-out fee for the provision of mobile skeletal x-ray services conducted at a residential aged care facility,” Mr Hunt said.
“These services include X-rays of the shoulder, pelvis, ribs and sternum; chest X-rays for suspected pneumonia or heart failure; and abdominal X-rays for acute abdomen or bowel obstruction.”
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Mr Hunt will also confirm on Tuesday that Australians in come of the most remote parts of the country will soon have greater access to a doctor under a $45.4 million funding injection in GP health consultations.
From November 1, GPs will be able to conduct regular telehealth consultations with their patients in remote areas, with rebates available through the Medicare Benefits Schedule.
Mr Hunt said GPs would be able to conduct regular telehealth consultations with their patients in remote areas, with rebates available through the Medicare Benefits Schedule.
The move will cost an additional $45.5 million over three years.