Diagnostic Imaging
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
MRI is an expensive and sophisticated technology and since its introduction on the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS), MRI has been carefully managed through requester, provider and item level restrictions. These controls help support the provision of high quality, safe and cost-effective health care for all Australians.
As a result, in order for an MRI service to receive a Medicare rebate, the scan must be requested by a specialist medical practitioner or consultant physician, be conducted on a Medicare-eligible MRI unit by a Medicare-eligible provider, and be an MRI service listed in the MBS.
MRI makes use of strong magnetic fields and radio frequency pulses to generate sectional images of the body in any plane and is especially useful in examinations of soft tissue.
List of the Medicare-eligible MRI units across Australia as at 1 May 2011
Gazette Notices:
2004 MRI Additional Units Eligibility Scheme (PDF 173 KB)
2001 MRI Additional Units Eligibility Scheme (PDF 359 KB)
Changes since 1 November 2002 to the Diagnostic Imaging Services Table, including MRI.
Breast MRI
On 1 February 2009, the Government introduced Medicare rebates for breast MRI scans for asymptomatic women less than 50 years of age at high risk of developing breast cancer due to a family history or genetic mutation.Breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Questions and Answers.
Latest News
Diagnostic Imaging Review Reform Package: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) (Word 304 KB)Diagnostic Imaging Review Reform Package: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) (PDF 33 KB)
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