The RACGP has called for a government compromise on cuts to Medicare funding for ECGs, suggesting GPs should have access to an additional item for performing a trace and writing a clinical note on the findings.  

Last August, the Federal Government sparked anger across the specialty after banning GPs from claiming item 11700 for tracing and reporting a 12-lead electrocardiography. 

The move was a recommendation from the Medicare Review Taskforce, which alleged there was evidence of widespread over-servicing because there was “no medical explanation” for the fact that per-capita claims were more than double in NSW and Queensland than in WA and the NT. 

Item 11700 had a rebate of $27.45. But as a result of the change GPs were restricted to a new item for tracing with a rebate of just $16.15.