Medicare Update for High Risk Breast Screening
Have you had an MRI AND Ultrasound on the same day? Did you receive the Medicare rebate on BOTH items? I think this is more to do with 'new diagnoses' - not existing ones - but if you require an ultrasound AND MRI on the same day - make sure you ask the questions about being able to claim the medicare rebate on BOTH! As of today (1st July 2026) those having MRI AND Ultrasound, may be able to have them on the same day and claim both the Medicare rebates. Previously - they had to be done on 2 different days to be able to claim both rebates. This will make it more 'time efficient' and less stressful, reducing out of pocket expenses - particularly for rural/regional/remote patients (for example) who would have to have stayed an extra night to have the 2nd procedure otherwise!
Testing question
My 44 year old daughter has been treated at Wesley Brisbane for cysts in her breasts for years. Now they have found something suspicious in her breast and want to do MRI. She’s had them before but this one needs to be done at a particular time of the month, and she’s had her uterus removed so no periods. They said if it’s not the right time, they will repeat it. She can no longer afford all this. She rang breastscreen and they said all they can do is book a mammogram for October, which is twelve months since her last one ( when Wesley found this lump). Her GP said she needs the MRI but can’t order a bulk billed one. Does anyone know where she goes from here. Neither of us want her to wait till October. She will pay for one MRI if needed but can’t do much more than one.
