injuryupdate
20-11-2004, 12:06 PM
A front page article in this month's Medical Observer suggests that current government policy leads to excessive numbers of CT scans being performed. See:
http://www.medicalobserver.com.au/displayarticle/index.asp?articleID=4565&templateID=105§ionID=1
In Australia, GPs and sports doctors can order unrestricted numbers of CT scans and the government will pay a rebate to the patient from Medicare, whereas the government will not pay any rebate if these doctors order MRI scans. Only specialists (other than sports doctors) can order MRI scans, and then only at a limited number of scanners in Australia which qualify for a rebate.
Apart from ridiculous anamolies (a dermatologist or psychiatrist or anaesthetist can order a MRI scan of the knee and the patient receives a rebate but a sports physician cannot order one without the patient paying the entire cost out of pocket) there is obviously a cost-incentive for patients to use CT scans rather than MRI scans when there is a rebate.
However, CT scans may not give as good a picture and also radiate the patient, which may be very relevant for kids and young adults (particularly girls) who have not reproduced yet.
There may possibly be a class action from cancer sufferers who have had CT scans against the government policy in the future.
http://www.medicalobserver.com.au/displayarticle/index.asp?articleID=4565&templateID=105§ionID=1
In Australia, GPs and sports doctors can order unrestricted numbers of CT scans and the government will pay a rebate to the patient from Medicare, whereas the government will not pay any rebate if these doctors order MRI scans. Only specialists (other than sports doctors) can order MRI scans, and then only at a limited number of scanners in Australia which qualify for a rebate.
Apart from ridiculous anamolies (a dermatologist or psychiatrist or anaesthetist can order a MRI scan of the knee and the patient receives a rebate but a sports physician cannot order one without the patient paying the entire cost out of pocket) there is obviously a cost-incentive for patients to use CT scans rather than MRI scans when there is a rebate.
However, CT scans may not give as good a picture and also radiate the patient, which may be very relevant for kids and young adults (particularly girls) who have not reproduced yet.
There may possibly be a class action from cancer sufferers who have had CT scans against the government policy in the future.