Under icare’s new fee structure, from today:
The Australian Diagnostic Imaging Association (ADIA), the NSW AMA and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR) are deeply concerned that icare’s new fee schedule will negatively impact patients.
"These changes will see injured workers subjected to a system where cost rather than patient need drives decisions about their health care," he said.
"For example, the new schedule directs injured workers to radiology services on out-of-date equipment – seemingly with the single intent of trying to save money at the expense of patient care.
"In many cases, patients may be forced to pay out of their own pocket to get the x-rays and scans they need to diagnose and help treat their workplace injuries. That sort of approach will have significant and unintended consequences for people trying to recover from a workplace injury.
"What is also disappointing is that icare planned these changes in secret with no consultation or input from the medical sector. When we finally did get a chance to give our feedback, we were ignored.
"It’s short-sighted, it’s ill-informed and it will damage lives." ---
