New MBS guidelines for diagnostic imaging referrals
AMA members will be interested in recent amendments to the guidelines for doctors on how to request an MBS-eligible diagnostic imaging service for patients.
The refreshed guidelines include advice on the level of clinical detail required, the importance of ensuring clinical relevance, and what issues to consider when assessing the benefits and/or risks to patients.
The guidelines refer requesters to the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR) Education Modules for Appropriate Imaging Referrals which contain decision support tools for selected clinical scenarios, and to consumer-focused information which may be useful for their patients, such as RANZCR’s Inside Radiology website.
The guidelines are contained in the Explanatory Notes of the of the Medicare Benefits Schedule and are available online here.
