Summary
Date: 10 July 2015
RACGP response to Government consultation on its regulation impact statement (RIS), Improving the quality and safety of Medicare funded diagnostic imaging services through the enhancement of regulatory and accreditation requirements.
The purpose of this regulation impact statement (RIS) is to review the existing requirements for the provision of Medicare eligible diagnostic imaging services and explore options for enhancing quality, reducing waste and minimising harm caused by inappropriate, unnecessary and sub-optimal diagnostic imaging services.
One of the options proposed suggests radiologists should be allowed to substitute imaging, without the need for consultation with the requester, if the substituted service is deemed to be more clinically appropriate.
The RACGP response outlines our concerns with this particular proposal.