Further reform to how Australians access MRI scans is required to ensure fair and equitable access to treatment, says the Royal College of Australian and New Zealand Radiologists (RANZCR).
The MRI licensing system for patients in remote and rural locations was scrapped by the Federal Government in 2022 providing unrestricted access to Medicare-funded scans for 30% of the population.
However, the system has continued for metropolitan Australia with patients only eligible for a Medicare rebate for their MRI scan if the machine used is licensed.
This ‘unbalanced situation’ has resulted in patients in metropolitan areas facing high out of pocket costs, lengthy delays to access a licensed MRI, or simply forgoing imaging altogether at the expense of their health.
The College is now calling for the Federal Government to take the next inevitable step by using its 2024-2025 Budget to end the MRI licensing system for metropolitan patients and deregulate all machines across Australia.
RANZCR President Professor John Slavotinek said: “The College applauded the previous reforms which removed the licencing system on MRI machines in remote and rural locations.
“Nevertheless, there are still too many patients who are unable to easily access a Medicare rebate for undergoing an MRI scan and are left risking their health if they don’t have time to wait or the money to pay.
“It is time for the Federal Government to take the next inevitable step by ending this unbalanced situation for metropolitan patients.
“The removal of the licensing system would result in a minimal impact on service volume with MRI services restricted for the most part to medical specialists rather than referral by general practitioner.
“More importantly, it would improve equitable clinical outcomes for all Australians.
“MRI scans provide superior diagnostic information for disease detection, diagnosis, and treatment monitoring, including detecting cancer.”
RANZCR has called for the scrapping of the metropolitan MRI licensing system in its pre-budget submission to the Federal Government.
The College has also asked for the Federal Government for further funding for its Regional and Rural Training Pathway scheme and extra support for brachytherapy services.
Source: RANZCR
