The Federal Government has announced Expressions of Interest for Medicare eligible MRI licences for 20 facilities across Australia – and we want one for the Sunshine Coast!
A Medicare MRI licence allows providers to charge MRI services to Medicare, significantly reducing the cost of scans. In fact, up to 84% of MRIs are bulk billed – meaning patients pay nothing at all.
The Sunshine Coast’s only not-for-profit private hospital, Buderim Private Hospital, is seeking one of these MRI licences. Let’s show that the Sunshine Coast community supports a bid for cheaper MRIs on the Sunshine Coast.
Register your support by clicking here
MRIs are 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,” Mr O’Brien said.
The Government has now announced ten locations to receive Medicare subsidised MRIs from 1 November 2018, subject to the sites meeting the required approvals and administrative requirements.
The total of 30 sites to receive Medicare subsidised MRIs will provide more than 400,000 Australians access to lifesaving scans with a total $175 million investment from the Federal Government.
Minister for Health Greg Hunt said the Liberal National Government is helping Australians stay healthy and keeping the cost of healthcare down for families.
“Our plan for a strong economy means we continue to deliver record funding for essential services such as Medicare, public hospitals and life-saving medicines,” Minister Hunt said.
“The Federal Government is committed to providing high quality health services when and where they are needed.
“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.”
Medicare spending is guaranteed and increasing every year from approximately $24 billion in 2017‑18 to $28.8 billion in 2021‑22.
The Federal Government has also announced an additional $2 billion investment in diagnostic imaging over the next decade.
We are retaining the bulk-billing incentive and indexing targeted diagnostic imaging services including mammography, fluoroscopy, CT scans and interventional procedures.