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 current Medicare-eligible MRI units across Australia as at 1 January 2010

Gazette Notices:
2001 MRI Additional Units Eligibility Scheme (PDF 359 KB)
2004 MRI Additional Units Eligibility Scheme

Changes since 1 November 2002 to the Diagnostic Services Imaging Table, including MRI.

Latest news

Breast MRI

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 from 1 February 2009.

Frequently asked questions about breast MRI services.