A government taskforce aiming to trim Medicare is almost finished planning.

Reports say sweeping changes are on the way that will crack down on rebate rorts by restricting which scans a GP can order, and reducing Medicare’s financial assistance for a range of scans and tests.

The Medical Benefits Schedule (MBS) Review Taskforce is still looking for feedback on recommendations from specialist clinical committees, which called for measures including;

  • mandatory health testing for pregnant women and new mothers
  • restrictions on GPs ordering services such as low back scans
  • a strict limit on surgeons ­ordering multiple MBS items for a single service

The MBS principles and rules committee called for one of the strongest reforms; forcing medical professionals to pass a test on their knowledge of MBS rules and billing requirements before they can get their Medicare provider numbers.

“Many providers have limited awareness of the rules and proc­edures involved in billing for MBS services, and may adopt questionable practices on the advice of colleagues,” the committee warns.

MBS taskforce head Bruce Robinson says health practitioners and consumers should comment on the proposals, ahead of recom­mendations to the government later this year.

“What we hope — what all the people who are taking part in this hope — is that by being more sensible about how healthcare dollars are spent we are able to spend them on services that are better value for patients and on more patients who need them,” he said.

Submissions can be made here.