RACGP backs plan to expand bulk-billed MRIs

Press/Media: Expert Comment

Description

With access to MRIs ‘a critical issue’, a review has set out proposals to significantly increase the clinical indications allowing GPs to request bulk-billed services.

Subject

Medicare

Scope of practice

General practice

MRI

Period16 Dec 2025

Media contributions

1

Media contributions

  • TitleRACGP backs plan to expand bulk-billed MRIs
    Degree of recognitionNational
    Media name/outletNews GP
    Media typeWeb
    Country/TerritoryAustralia
    Date16/12/25
    DescriptionWith access to MRIs ‘a critical issue’, a review has set out proposals to significantly increase the clinical indications allowing GPs to request bulk-billed services...
    Professor Mark Morgan, Chair of RACGP Expert Committee – Quality Care, said the review reflects the college’s advocacy to increase GPs’ scope of practice without unnecessary restrictions.

    ‘Eligibility for MRI funding should be based on clinical need, and the RACGP has pushed strongly for Medicare rules to reflect clinical need,’ he told newsGP.

    ‘Current Medicare rules about how and when an MRI can be requested make little sense.

    ‘Medicare requirements that state an MRI will only be funded if the request comes from a non-GP specialist creates a situation when only the wealthy, living near an urban centre, can access timely imaging.’
    Producer/AuthorJolyon Attwooll
    URLhttps://www1.racgp.org.au/newsgp/professional/racgp-backs-plan-to-expand-bulk-billed-mris?utm_source=racgpnewsgpnewsletter&utm_campaign=newsgpedm&utm_medium=email
    PersonsMark Morgan