Hi Kerry Ann
This is Kathy from BCNA's Policy Team. I was sorry to read about your experience with the cost of your MRI scan. I know they are very expensive, especially on top of all the other costs associated with breast cancer treatment and ongoing care.
Unfortunately it is correct that Medicare does not currently provide a rebate for MRIs for follow up care of women who have had breast cancer. This is because MRI is still a relatively new procedure and there is not yet sufficient data available to prove its value in follow-up screening. That does not mean it is not of value, it just means that the research has not yet been done to show it. We know there is research being done and are monitoring the issue. We hope that there will one day be sufficient evidence to put to the government to have it included on Medicare so a rebate will be available.
It is a shame that your doctor didn't let you know beforehand that there was no Medicare rebate. It might have saved you a lot of hurt and disappointment. Did you talk to Medibank Private about the circumstances under which they would have covered it? It might be worthwhile to find out so that if your doctor refers you for an MRI again next year you can see if you can have it in a way that allows you to claim it with them. It may be, though, that they can only cover it if it is done while you are a hospital in-patient.
Sorry not to have better news for you, Kerry Ann, but I hope this goes someway to explaining why you couldn't get a Medicare rebate for your scan.
All the best, Kathy
