The use of ultrasound has become increasingly popular for General Practitioners (GPs), especially those located in more remote or rural areas. Here’s some insight into DIAS accreditation benefits for GPs who are providing these diagnostic imaging services to patients.
GPs in Urban/Suburban vs. Rural Areas
DIAS accreditation is not compulsory for GPs who provide patients with diagnostic imaging services like ultrasound. However, it is legally required for your practice to inform patients if you are not accredited, and your practice cannot claim Medicare rebates unless DIAS accreditation has been granted and the practice is compliant.
For GPs in urban and suburban areas, the general rebate incurred at a DIAS accredited practice for diagnostic imaging services is around $30. However, GPs in more remote and rural areas can access rebates with scheduled fees as high as $100, which makes getting accredited a good choice for increasing revenue.
GPs are not required to submit a written request for the payment of Medicare benefits in a remote or rural area if it meets the following criteria:
- The area of service is more than 30kms by road to a hospital that supplies radiology services under the direction of a specialist in the speciality of diagnostic radiology, or a free-standing radiology facility under the direction of a specialist in the speciality of diagnostic radiology.
- The R-type service is not one for which there is a corresponding NR-type service.
- The medical practitioner supplying the patient with the service has been granted a remote area exemption for that service.
