Cancer patients in Newcastle will have more affordable access to Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans with a new Medicare rebate.
From November patients receiving MRI scans at Calvary Mater Hospital will be eligible for partial Medicare benefits.
Minister for Health, Tanya Plibersek and Federal Member for Newcastle, Sharon Grierson were at the hospital today to announce the latest MRI unit to join 161 across the country that gain partial Medicare eligibility.
“This new eligibility will mean patients with rectal and cervical cancer and women under 50 who are at risk of breast cancer will be eligible for Medicare rebates on their scans.” Ms Plibersek said.
Children will also benefit, meaning they can be diagnosed quicker at a lower cost to families.
The specific conditions for which children can be referred by GPs for Medicare eligible MRI at Calvary Mater include chronic headache and acute knee injury.
