GP Referred MRI Items for Adults for Specified Conditions.
At Melbourne Radiology Clinic, the following adult (16 years and over*) MRI services referred by a GP are bulk billed as per the schedule shown below:
[*Note age restriction for MRI Knee Scans introduced 1 November 2018]
One of the key initiatives of the Diagnostic Imaging Reform Package is to expand patient access to MRI services across Australia. This includes increased access to MRI services for primary care patients 16 years and over* by extending requesting rights to GPs for a small set of clinically appropriate indications.
Adult MRI.
GP Referred MRI Items
for Adults for Specified Conditions.
Clinical Indications
- unexplained seizure(s) and;
- unexplained chronic headache with suspected intracranial pathology
- Radiculopathy
Clinical Indications
- for suspected cervical radiculopathy
- Trauma
Clinical Indications
- for suspected cervical spine trauma
Clinical Indications
- following acute trauma for patients* with inability to extend the knee suggesting the possibility of acute meniscal tear or;
- clinical finding suggesting acute anterior cruciate ligament tear
[*patients aged 16-49 years only]
Medicare Rebate.
A Medicare rebate for these Adult MRI scans is ONLY CLAIMABLE if one of the clinical indications shown as above is specified in the ‘Clinical Details’ section of the radiology request referral form.
Adult Patients not meeting the criteria outlined above are unable to have their MRI expenses claimed from Medicare or any private health fund, so patients are liable for the entire expense of the MRI examination.
Wide Bore MRI.
Melbourne Radiology Clinic's Wide-Bore MRI provides a comfortable spacious environment for patient scans while producing clear images.
Our experienced staff will ensure that the MRI scan is as comfortable as possible.
Medicare Update
Changes to Medicare Funded Knee Imaging Services – 1 Nov 2018.
GPs are not able to request more than three knee MRIs per patient per annum for patients aged 16-49 and are no longer able to refer patients aged 50 years and over for knee MRIs.
From 1 November 2018, new restrictions were introduced to limit the ability of general practitioners (GPs) to request knee MRIs for patients 50 years and over (MBS items 63560 & 63561). Specialists are still able to request knee MRIs for any patient, regardless of the patient’s age.
