AMA urges review of MBS
The Australian Medical Association (AMA) used Family Doctor Week (19-25 July) to try challenge the major parties to commit to a serious review of the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) to reflect the comprehensive nature and quality of care that patients receive from their family doctor and to allow new technologies and procedures to be embraced by general practice for the benefit of patients.
AMA president, Dr Andrew Pesce, said that the MBS has failed to keep up with the cost of providing GP services and has not allowed family doctors to provide testing or referrals that could improve patient care.
“The recently completed simplification of the MBS did not go far enough,” Dr Pesce said.
“The structure of items needs more work, red tape must be cut, and the MBS should allow family doctors to conduct point-of-care testing (PoCT) in their practices and directly refer patients for MRIs.
“Under PoCT, pathology tests can be done in the surgery.
“PoCT will allow family doctors to provide test results on site and much quicker for patients with chronic and complex conditions, and provide an immediate, informed clinical decision during the consultation.
“Direct referral for MRIs would save valuable time for patients and money for the Government. The MBS needs to be simplified and updated to reflect modern medical practice.
“Some estimates indicate that family doctors must spend up to nine hours a week complying with red tape obligations. For every hour that a family doctor is tied up doing Government paperwork, about four patients cannot get to see that doctor.
“A long-term indexation formula should be established to ensure that Medicare patient rebates keep up with the cost of delivering quality medical and health services.”
