Too many doctors ‘charging excessively’ for ADHD diagnoses, says Professor Patrick McGorry
The psychiatrist and founder of Headspace believes co-payments should be capped or regulated.
Professor Patrick McGorry says ADHD and autism are overdiagnosed in patients who can afford $3000 fees and underdiagnosed in patients who are being priced out of psychiatrist assessment.
The executive director of mental health service Orygen and 2010 Australian of the Year says Medicare rebates are “nowhere near” the cost of specialist consultations, meaning co-payments are sometimes three times the rebate.
“If you have got money, you can pay for these things. But if you have not, you are excluded from access to healthcare, including diagnosis, particularly ADHD and autism,” he says.
“We are seeing overdiagnosis in those with the capacity to pay and underdiagnosis in those without.”
