Government Delivers With MBS Increases for Pregnancy Checks
AMA President, Dr Mukesh Haikerwal, said today the Government's decision to increase Medicare rebates for antenatal consultations with GPs and other specialists would provide great comfort for pregnant women.
Dr Haikerwal said the AMA had been discussing the increases to Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) Items 16500, 16502, 16504, 16505, 16508 and 16509 with the Health Minister and the Health Department since May this year.
"The 17 per cent increase in the MBS patient rebate for these Items recognises the special needs of the patient at this important time and reflects the specialised skills of the doctors providing this vital obstetric care," Dr Haikerwal said.
"It also highlights the significance and importance of timely antenatal care to detect problems in pregnancy and to predict and prevent complications throughout the pregnancy.
"It is in effect a 'catch up' increase for obstetric consults to match a standard Level B consultation, which surpassed the antenatal items when the Government moved to 100 per cent Medicare at the last election.
"The increases return the true value to antenatal care consultations to patients in the form of higher rebates.
"Importantly, the Government has provided the increased rebates for both GP and other specialist antenatal consultations.
"This gives women choice, and ensures they will not be disadvantaged no matter which doctor provides their specialised care," Dr Haikerwal said.