Abbott announces cheaper MRI services

Federal Health Minister Tony Abbott is promising to make MRI services cheaper for people needing scans for brain tumours and multiple sclerosis.

Mr Abbott says more federally funded magnetic resonancing machines will soon be available across the country, with tenders opening today.This means an additional 20 machines will get Medicare rebates.There are 73 services currently receiving the discount.MRI machines are also used to check for joint and spinal problems.Mr Abbott says areas of need have already been identified but cost will be the main factor in determining who gets the rebates.”Most MRI providers bulk bill some of their patients, they charge other patients a co-payment,” he said.”One of the criteria that the Government will be looking at in choosing the successful provider in the priority areas is their patient charging policy, because we want MRI to be as affordable and available as possible.”(Source: ABC News: July 2004)