Referral Arrangements for Interventional Radiologists
USANZ has become aware of a review process being undertaken into the scope and referral arrangements for Interventional Radiology (IR). In summary it has been proposed to offer IR practitioners the opportunity to claim item numbers 104/105 after referral from a GP for a specific procedure. The proposal also includes a wider scope for self-referring after diagnostic imaging, and an expanded role for IR practitioners in the aftercare of patients they may have treated.
This would represent a major change in the status quo of management for many conditions. Amongst other problems it has the potential to make urologists reluctant to order appropriate medical imaging if they feel a patient may be offered treatment advice at the point of diagnostic imaging by an IR practitioner, who may not have the experience applied by a urologist in considering the wider best interests of a patient beyond a technical intervention.
USANZ in conjunction with RACS and The Australian and New Zealand Society for Vascular Surgery (ANZSVS) will be providing a detailed response on this issue, pointing out the potential for increases in costs and patient harm that may ensue from this proposal.
In the interim, the review document (available to download below) contains directions to a survey where members can share their opinions on this proposal. The recommendations of particular relevance to urology are those numbered 4, 5, 11, 17 and 18.
Access the MBS website for the Vascular IR Draft Report.