Specialists using ultrasound

Specialists using ultrasound

A consultant physician or specialist is a medical practitioner recognised for the purposes of the Health Insurance Act 1973 as a specialist or consultant physician, in a particular specialty.

Except for R-type items which in their description state that a referral is required (such as most R-type items in General Ultrasound), a written request is not required for the payment of Medicare benefits when the diagnostic imaging service is provided by or on behalf of a consultant physician or a specialist (other than a specialist in diagnostic radiology) in his or her specialty and after clinical assessment he/she determines that the service was necessary.

However, if in the referral to the consultant physician or specialist, the referring practitioner specifically requests a diagnostic imaging service (eg to a cardiologist to perform an echocardiogram) the service provided is a requested, not self-determined service. If further services are subsequently provided, these further services are self-determined.