PDF printable version of Medicare-Eligibility Granted to MRI Unit at Rockhampton Hospital (PDF 19 KB)
Joint Release
The Hon Nicola Roxon MP
Minister for Health and Ageing
Kirsten Livermore MP
Member for Capricornia
4 September 2009
People in Rockhampton and surrounding areas now have access to Medicare-eligible Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) services at Rockhampton Hospital.
The commencement of Medicare-eligible MRI services honours an election commitment by the Australian Government to extend Medicare-eligibility to the hospital once an MRI unit was installed.
The extension of Medicare-eligibility to the new MRI unit at Rockhampton Hospital is part of the Government’s latest expansion of Medicare-eligible MRI services.
The Rockhampton Hospital is the ninth location to provide MRI services under Medicare as part of this expansion.
There are now 122 Medicare-eligible MRI units operating across Australia, including 25 in Queensland.
All patients receiving Medicare-eligible scans on the new unit will be bulk-billed.
MRI uses magnetic fields to generate images to help diagnose illnesses.
MRI technology is especially effective on soft tissue making it important for identifying and monitoring conditions such as strokes and certain cancers.
The Government recognises that patients and communities throughout Australia need to have access to convenient and affordable MRI services.
Medicare-eligible bulk-billed MRI services for patients at Rockhampton Hospital are part of the Government’s comprehensive plan to build a better healthcare system for a modern Australia.
For all media inquiries, please contact the Minister's Office on 02 6277 7220.
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