Better health and ageing for all Australians

Diagnostic Imaging

About Medicare and Diagnostic Imaging

Responsibility for managing Medicare-funded Diagnostic Imaging (DI) services and determining strategies for maintaining and improving the quality, accessibility and affordability of these services is undertaken cooperatively between DI representative groups and the Government as represented by the Department of Health and Ageing (the Department).

In this section:

Diagnostic Imaging (DI) is a generic term which covers ultrasound; computed tomography (CT), nuclear medicine, radiography (x-ray), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET) and bone densitometry.

The Australian Government provides Medicare rebates for certain relevant DI services. For radiology services, practices are required to participate in the Diagnostic Imaging Accreditation Scheme in order to access Medicare Benefits.

Medicare Australia administers the payment of Medicare rebates on behalf of the Australian Government.

The legislative basis for the DI services specified in the Diagnostic Imaging Services Table (the Table) is incorporated in the:
Health Insurance Act 1973,
Health Insurance Regulations 1975, and
Health Insurance (Diagnostic Imaging Services Table) Regulations 2007.
The Table of DI Services is set out in Catergory 5 of the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS).

In 2008, the Department funded the Australian Sonographers Association (ASA)to undertake a role evolution and work practices study. The project aimed to identify, across settings and specialties, the breadth of the sonographers' role beyond the statutory role of the accredited sonographer in the diagnostics imaging industry. The report Scoping Study of Role Evolution for Sonographers was completed on 1 June 2009 and presented to the Department.

Historical documents relating to Diagnostic Imaging Memoranda of Understanding are availabe at the links below.


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