Policy Shift Helps Audiologists Tackle Hearing Care Inequalities
From the 1st March 2023 patients no longer require an ENT referral for Audiology services.
The only way that Australians used to be able to claim a Medicare rebate for a paid hearing assessment was to get a referral from an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist or a neurologist. The recent Medicare changes have expanded the rebated referral pathway significantly.
Now, you can claim a Medicare rebate for Audiology Services with just a GP referral.
These Medicare changes will break down the financial barriers which may have prevented someone from booking a hearing test.
To access the full rebate, a GP referral will be required for each appointment. Please ask your GP for a referral for Audiology services (items 82318 and 82324).
You can still attend with no GP referral; however, you will be unable to access the Medicare benefits towards the cost of your appointment.
An ageing population means that audiologists will become more important in the healthcare system. About 3.6 million people have some form of hearing loss in Australia, and this number is expected to double. This policy shift helps Audiologists Tackle Hearing Care Inequalities, making hearing services more affordable and accessible to the wider population.
If you are intending to claim your appointment at Jervis Bay Hearing Centre through Medicare, please let our friendly team know when booking your appointment, we can accommodate clients eligible for Medicare rebates on Mondays in Vincentia, and Tuesdays in Ulladulla.
Call us to begin your hearing journey today.
Vincentia: 02 4441 8886
Ulladulla: 02 4455 6000
