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Hi,

I have on many occasions referred to my local radiological imaging for ultrasound without any issues. The patient pays for the services and then heads to medicare to claim some or most of the amount back. I was told by a radiographer friend, that I could refer to public hospitals where the patient would be bulk billed completely.

So, a patient of mine trots off to the public hospital, who inform him they can conduct the xray (achilles/ calc) but not the ultrasound? He would require a GP referral.

The argument was that because it's a public hospital (and they only bulk bill) a podiatrist referral cannot be accepted?

Have the public hospital stuffed up or is this correct??

Regards,

björn

 

Unless it is a specific condition of Public Health Facility which it may well be. They should accept Podiatrist referrals. Dont be surprised though if the reason behind it is that Medicare rebate more for a GP US referral than a Podiatry written one - go figure!!!

 

Thanks Paul, that wouldn't surprise me at all. I will chase this up with medicare.

 

We refer regularly for ultrasounds to 4 imaging departments in public hospitals in Melbourne.
They have stuffed up. I would ring them up and work out the reason. How frustrating for you, often that is where you get some of the best reports.

 

My local imaging company bulk bills my patients for diagnostic ultrasound, it could be worth checking a few other companies

 

I would ask to speak to the manager of the department. I would imagine this is a simple administrative oversight.

Public hospitals can be a bit slow to keep up with legislation, in my own local experience.

LL