Medicare Rebate for Breast MRI (Australia)

A Medicare rebate for an MRI breast scan will be available to women under 50 at high risk of breast cancer and with no symptoms from 1 February 2009.

Being at high risk of breast cancer can cause significant anxiety. These scans can help reduce unnecessary concern, and help pick up breast cancer early.

The Australian Government is reducing the financial barrier of the cost of a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan to encourage these women in the high risk category to monitor their health.

Women at high risk of breast cancer include, for example, women with three or more close blood relatives diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer.

Further details about the women eligible for this Medicare rebate will be available from 1 February 2009 on MBSonline at www.health.gov.au

source: Australian Givernment Dept.of Health