A second review of ECG rebates cuts has once again called on the Federal Government to let GPs claim better paid MBS items for performing and interpreting ECGs.

Changes in 2020 essentially cut ECG rebates from around $27 to $16, by restricting a better funded item for performing and reporting on a 12-lead ECG to non-GP specialists.

Instead, GPs were forced to claim the new item 11707 for ECGs that did “not need to be fully interpreted or reported on”, which has a current rebate of $17.25 (85% of the $20.25 schedule fee).

Former minister for health Greg Hunt ordered an independent review in response to GP outcry, which found that the ‘trace only’ item did not reflect the time and work involved in performing ECGs.