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icare has said that no patient will be left out of pocket by planned changes to accreditation and fees surrounding X-ray and imaging technologies.
Responding to an article published by Insurance Business earlier this month, John Nagle, interim CEO and managing director, refuted claims raised by the Australian Diagnostic Imaging Association (ADIA) that icare was set to cut fees and change rules surrounding radiology and imaging services.
“Our primary focus is the care and support we provide our customers,” Nagle told Insurance Business.
“No patient will be disadvantaged or out of pocket by the changes and we will continue to cover all reasonably necessary treatments. Any anomalies will be addressed on a case by case basis.”
Nagle also noted that icare had carried out consultations on its plans surrounding the use of X-ray and other imaging technologies for injured workers, including contact with ADIA.
“icare conducted a comprehensive review, including extensive stakeholder consultation and consideration of written submissions, including from the ADIA,” Nagle told Insurance Business.
“Following this consultation, we have aligned ourselves with the accreditation requirements in accordance with the Diagnostic Imaging Accreditation Scheme (DIAS) as we continue to seek to improve the quality of services to injured workers and employers.”
Nagle said that icare will introduce changes to accreditation requirements and fee arrangements for medical diagnostic imaging services “to ensure the NSW workers’ compensation scheme provides injured workers with quality services and value for money” – changes are set to be rolled out from June 01, 2018.
In addition, he added that icare will use the Australian Government’s Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) rates as the basis of its fee schedule, and service providers will be able to bill insurance agents directly, as the system does currently.
“Imaging is a vital part of the workers’ compensation system,” Nagle continued. “Having diagnostics means that doctors and, importantly, injured workers can be well informed when determining an injury management plan and supporting them to get back to work.”
