Health fraud

A recent media article 'The $2billion health fraud' in the Sunday Telegraph questioned the use of the Medicare Benefits Schedule items by health professionals treating patients with chronic diseases. The article said doctors and other health professionals, including dietitians, were 'rorting' the system.

The Dietitians Association of Australia (DAA) believes the article shows a disturbing ignorance of the management of chronic disease and unfairly tarnishes the reputation of health professionals. The Medicare rebate has allowed millions of Australians access to quality health care from skilled and dedicated health professionals, such as APDs, who must abide by professional standards.

DAA would welcome the opportunity, along with our allied health professional colleagues, to discuss changes to the Medicare system with the Government to help make sure high-quality health care remains accessible to those Australians most in need - and least likely to afford it.