The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has released its Clinical guidance for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) referral to support the Department of Health’s (DoH) new Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) – supported referrals for MRI requested by general practitioners (GPs) that came into effect Friday 1 November.
From 1 November 2013, GPs will be able to request MRI studies of three anatomical regions with six clinical indications for patients aged 16 years and over. The regions and indications are:
- head – unexplained seizure(s) and chronic headache with suspected intracranial pathology
- cervical spine – cervical radiculopathy and cervical spine trauma
- knee – acute anterior cruciate ligament and acute meniscal tear.
Dr Liz Marles, RACGP President, said the new MBS referral options now extend MRI requesting rights to GPs who would otherwise be required to refer patients to a specialist in order to have an MRI scan.
“The new MBS referral items are a positive and timely move as demand for diagnostic imaging services continue to rise in Australia.
“These new items will streamline GPs care for patients by eliminating the need for unnecessary and often time intensive consultations with specialists and ensure patients receive timely diagnostic attention where clinically appropriate.
“Supported by the RACGP’s guidance, the new MBS items will improve access to care, reduce costs to the wider health system, and provide further support for GPs to provide more appropriate and comprehensive care for their patients," said Dr Marles
The RACGP’s guidance aims to support GPs’ evidence-based decision making, reduce inappropriate referral and improve patient outcomes for the specific Medicare indications.
The clinical guidance, commissioned by the DoH, has been developed by GPs for GPs, in consultation with other specialists.
GPs and other health professionals can access the Clinical guidance for MRI referral free of charge.