Imaging Guidelines for Referrers
Musculoskeletal Scans
It is also strongly advised that a plain x-ray be performed prior to any MSK ultrasound for thorough examination of patient.
Shoulder Ultrasounds
Medicare rebate benefit is payable when referred with suspicion of the following clinical conditions:
- Evaluation of injury to tendon, muscle or tendon/muscle junctions including tears, calcification or tendinosis
- Rotator cuff tear/calcification/tendinosis of biceps, subscapular, supraspinatus or infraspinatus
- Biceps subluxation
- Capsulitis and Bursitis
- Evaluation of mass, including ganglion
- Occult fracture
- Acromioclavicular joint pathology
Benefits are not payable when referred for non-specific shoulder pain alone.
Knee Ultrasounds
Benefits are payable when referred with suspicion of the following clinical conditions:
- Abnormality of tendons or bursa about the knee
- Meniscal cyst, popliteal fossa cyst, mass or pseudomass
- Nerve entrapment, nerve or nerve sheath tumour
Benefits are not payable when referred for non-specific knee pain alone or other known conditions including:
- Meniscal and cruciate ligament tears
- Assessment of chondral surfaces
General Referrals
All examinations performed by Lakes Radiology are bulk billed. For a patient to be eligible for a Medicare rebate there are certain criteria that all referrals must display.
- Referrer name
- Referrer provider number
- Referrer contact details
- Examination requested
- All relevant clinical history
- Referrer signature