B12 testing changes an incoming headache for GPs

Press/Media: Expert Comment

Description

Medicare says amending items related to vitamin B12 and urine testing will increase efficiency.

Both the AMA and Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia have warned the Department of Health and Aged Care against proposed changes to vitamin B12 testing and urine examination items which would restrict patient access.

Subject

Pathology testing policy

General Practice

B12

Urine

Period4 Dec 2024

Media contributions

1

Media contributions

  • TitleB12 testing changes an incoming headache for GPs
    Degree of recognitionNational
    Media name/outletMedical Republic
    Media typeWeb
    Country/TerritoryAustralia
    Date4/12/24
    DescriptionMedicare says amending items related to vitamin B12 and urine testing will increase efficiency.
    Both the AMA and Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia have warned the Department of Health and Aged Care against proposed changes to vitamin B12 testing and urine examination items which would restrict patient access...
    RACGP quality care chair Professor Mark Morgan largely agreed with the AMA and RCPA, and raised the fact that medical science has moved on since the original recommendations for changes to the testing items were raised by an MBS review committee.

    “Frequency criteria seems a clunky way to reduce MBS spending because it is often not clear to the patient, requesting clinician or pathology provider if the test has been done before,” he told The Medical Republic.

    “Perhaps the nirvana of an effective and interactive My Health Record will make this easier to determine in the future.”
    Producer/AuthorHolly Payne
    URLhttps://www.medicalrepublic.com.au/b12-testing-changes-an-incoming-headache-for-gps/113101
    PersonsMark Morgan