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The Nationals Federal Member for Mallee John Forrest said last night cataract procedure patients would now see a 12 percent cut to the MBS rebate for cataract operations rather than the 50 percent cut preferred by the Rudd Labor Government
“The planned 50 percent cuts to cataract rebates had already been disallowed by the Coalition twice and this forced the Government to retreat to the smaller amount from its original position,” Mr Forrest said.
“The Coalition planned to disallow the 50 percent cut when Parliament resumed, and this forced the Minister to negotiate with doctors.
“We had tipped they’d settle for a rebate cut of around 10 to15 percent, so we were pretty close to the money. This is a good outcome, but I would have preferred no cuts, particularly for our elderly and frail in regional Australia where the cost of visiting specialists is greater.”
Mr Forrest said he expected the 12 percent cut on cataract MBS items would be effective from February 1.
The new cataract schedule fee will be $731.80 for the most common procedure (lens extraction and insertion of artificial lens).
Mr Forrest can be contacted on 0428 500 186.
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