🗞️Albanese Government Invests $49.1 Million in Women's Health Care

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Australian women with endometriosis and complicated gynecological conditions like polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and chronic pelvic pain have been heard by the Albanese government. Medicare will provide women with access to longer specialist consultations lasting at least 45 minutes for the first time. Two new items will be added to the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) on July 1, 2025, allowing for longer consultation times and higher rebates for gynecological specialty care. With the help of these products, women will be guaranteed prompt and suitable evaluations and won't have to wait long for important diagnosis and treatments. With the help of this $49.1 million investment from the Albanese government, 430,000 more women nationwide with complex gynecological conditions will be able to receive consultations lasting 45 minutes or more. In contrast to the standard rate of $95.60, these two new MBS items will charge a higher fee for longer initial consultations with gynecologists ($168.60 for a minimum of 45 minutes) and a higher fee for longer subsequent consultations ($84.35 for a minimum of 45 minutes, compared to the standard rate of $48.05). According to estimates, at least 1 in 9 Australian women suffer from endometriosis. It affects daily life severely and unacceptably, taking an average of seven years before a diagnosis.

Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mark Butler said Women are suffering unnecessarily. They’re having their experiences dismissed, being called hysterical and accused of drug shopping. Women’s pain is real and it’s time we stop telling women to just suck it up.

 

“We need women and more doctors to know about endometriosis, so we can reduce the diagnosis delay and get women the care they need.

 

“The Government has heard the call from women across the country and we are strengthening Medicare so that it is serves the needs of women living with this debilitating disease, “ Butler added.

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Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, Ged Kearney said this new MBS listing will mean women with complex gynaecological conditions receive the attention and care they deserve, and sooner. It means we are tackling the inequities in the health system for so many women. 

“Australian women have made their voices heard. As a former nurse and now as Assistant Minister for Health, I’m committed to ensuring we shine a spotlight on women’s health issues,” He added

The Albanese Government has now invested over $107 million to support women with endometriosis, creating a national suite of one-stop-shops for endometriosis care, intervention and treatment, including: 

  1. 22 specialised Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Clinics around the country. These Clinics operating now and provide multidisciplinary care, access to early intervention and a range of treatment options in a one-stop shop for women;

  2. Developing an Endometriosis Management Plan for individualised and tailored treatment for women;

  3. Support for endometriosis research;

  4. Investing in grants to improve awareness of endometriosis in the community;

  5. Developing Endometriosis Living Guidelines so that healthcare professionals can be led by best practice evidence based information

  6. Reviewing the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) items used to support the diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis.

  7. In addition to the specialised Endometriosis package, our Government introduced a new extended 60 minute MBS item for GPs. This longer consult gives GPs more time to better help women endometriosis or other chronic conditions with complex histories and symptoms.

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