Website: HDAA
Phone: 1800 601 696
Email: info@hdaau.com.au
Accreditation provides a commitment to the community that a diagnostic imaging practice meets expected standards for safety and quality. It is a formal program where trained assessors review an imaging practice’s evidence of implementation of the Diagnostic Imaging Accreditation Scheme Standards.
Imaging practices not accredited under the Diagnostic Imaging Accreditation Scheme cannot provide Medicare funded diagnostic imaging services. Unaccredited imaging practices must inform clients prior to carrying out imaging they are not accredited and a Medicare benefit is not payable.
The Diagnostic Imaging Accreditation Scheme includes all diagnostic imaging practices that provide Medicare funded services on the Diagnostic Imaging Services Table.
Accredited imaging practices are accredited every four years via a desktop audit and address the full suite of Diagnostic Imaging Accreditation Scheme Standards.
Accreditation decisions include:
Imaging practices providing or seeking to provide Medicare eligible diagnostic imaging services must be registered with Services Australia and have a valid Location Specific Practice Number. Read the fact sheet below and apply to Services Australia.
Accreditation agencies accept applications for accreditation, perform desktop audits and grant accreditation. The agencies liaise with the Commission providing updates on diagnostic imaging practices’ accreditation status and latest data.
Accreditation agencies assessing imaging practices against the standards are confirmed by the Commission. They are required to
There are 3 accreditation agencies for the Diagnostic Imaging Accreditation Scheme.
Website: National Association of Testing Authorities
Phone: 1800 621 666
Email: corpcomm@nata.com.au
Website: National Association of Testing Authorities
Phone: 1800 621 666
Email: corpcomm@nata.com.au
Diagnostic imaging practices require accreditation through the Diagnostic Imaging Accreditation Scheme to access Medicare benefit payments.
Accredited imaging practices are required to
Imaging practices can choose to change accreditation agencies at any time. To change, notify your current accreditation agency of your intention to change, request the release of your records and then apply to the accreditation agency of your choice.
Diagnostic imaging practices seeking accreditation for the first time can address the entry level or full suite of Diagnostic Imaging Accreditation Scheme Standards.
Imaging practices initially accredited against the entry level standards (Standards 1.2, 1.3, 1.4) have two years to achieve accreditation against the full suite of standards. While practices initially accredited against the full suite of standards are accredited for four years.
Each accreditation agency has their own forms and process for accepting applications. However the information to support accreditation and establish compliance to the standards will be similar. A diagnostic imaging practice is required to provide:
Diagnostic imaging practices that have previously held accreditation need to apply for and obtain accreditation against the full suite of Diagnostic Imaging Accreditation Scheme Standards.
The desktop audit must be completed within 30 business days of the accreditation agency being selected. Practices awarded accreditation will be re accredited every four years.
The Diagnostic Imaging Accreditation Scheme (DIAS) recognises the Medical Imaging Accreditation Program (MIAP). It is a voluntary program delivered by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists and the National Association of Testing Authorities.
The program uses the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists Standards of Practice for Clinical Radiology.
Diagnostic imaging practices with MIAP accreditation can apply for recognition of its accreditation under DIAS. Imaging practices providing evidence of current accreditation to their accreditation agency will be granted DIAS accreditation.
Imaging practices must notify their accreditation agency if their MIAP accreditation lapses, is not renewed or is revoked. If this occurs the imaging practice no longer satisfies the recognition arrangements under DIAS.
Eligibility to provide Medicare funded diagnostic imaging stops and is not re-established until the imaging practice either renews its MIAP accreditation or is accredited against the full suite of Diagnostic Imaging Accreditation Scheme Standards.
Diagnostic Imaging Accreditation Scheme was established in June 2007 through the Health Insurance Act 1973. Stage 1 of the scheme was introduced in 2008 and covered imaging practices providing diagnostic radiology services only.
In July 2010 the scheme expanded (Stage 2) to include practices providing non radiology services such as cardiac ultrasound and angiography, obstetric and gynaecological ultrasound and nuclear medicine imaging services.
In 2016 the Diagnostic Imaging Accreditation Scheme Standards were revised.
For questions and feedback on the Commission’s Diagnostic Imaging Accreditation Scheme and Standards please contact Safety and Quality Advice Centre or phone 1800 304 056.