Submission

AMA submission - MBS Review clinical committee - Final Report Diagnostic Imaging

In December 2018, the AMA President, Dr Tony Bartone, wrote to the Chair of the MBS Review Taskforce, Prof Bruce Robinson to provide feedback on the MBS Review Clinical Committee Diagnostic Imaging Final Report. 

The AMA commends the work of the DICC in making recommendations to update diagnostic imaging items to reflect modern, evidence-based medical practice. The AMA supports most of the recommendations including:

• the introduction of new MRI items;
• the replacement of clinical indications with general statements for some items; and
• the removal of co-claiming restrictions on several items which will provide significant benefits to patients, especially for those living in regional and rural areas, by removing the need for multiple visits.

In developing the submission, the AMA consulted with the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR), the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), and the National Association of Specialist Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (NASOG). 

As always, the AMA defers to the relevant College, Association and Society on specific clinical matters, and calls on the Government to engage with the key stakeholders should any of these groups identify significant clinical concerns with the proposed changes to the MBS.

 

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