Outrage over new GP restrictions to Medicare ECG items

The Federal Government has cut Medicare funding for GPs to interpret ECGs.
From 1 August, GPs will no longer be able to claim MBS item 11700 for performing and reporting a 12-lead electrocardiography.
The item currently has a rebate of $27.45 and has been claimed more than 3.3 million times over the previous 12 months.
But from next month, GPs will be restricted to a new item with a $16.15 rebate that can only be used if the ECG “does not need to be fully interpreted or reported on”.