Maintain Radiology Skills and Provide Medicare Funded Radiology Services with ACRRM's Remote Area Radiology Exemption Program

ACRRM’s Remote Area Radiology Program was established to provide an appropriate quality assurance and continuing medical education service for rural doctors wishing to build and maintain their radiological skills.

It also provides a simple and effective way for doctors to meet the requirements of holding a Remote Area Exemption (RAE) for Medicare benefits.

The program is an advanced skills component of ACRRM’s Professional Development Program (PDP) for rural doctors. As such, points from diagnostic radiology training activities can be counted towards the 100 points required for the ACRRM PDP.

Please note:

• The program is open to ACRRM members only.
• You must register details of your short term locum with ACRRM 5 days prior to the commencement date. This will allow sufficient time for Medicare rebates to begin on your locum commencement date. Please submit a different Remote Area Radiology Application Form for each short term locum that you undertake.

What is the Remote Area Exemption?

A Remote Area Exemption (RAE) for "R-type" radiology services is where a written request is not required for the payment of Medicare benefits for a referred (R-type) diagnostic imaging service rendered by a medical practitioner in a remote area. This can only occur when:

• The “R-type” service is not one for which there is a corresponding non referred (NR-type) service; and
• The medical practitioner tendering the service has been granted a RAE for that service.

To obtain a RAE, practitioners have to apply to Medicare Australia (through ACRRM) and meet certain criteria.

All RAE holders are required to be enrolled in an approved diagnostic radiology PDP and complete the relevant requirements over a three year cycle. The ACRRM Remote Area Radiology Program is approved for RAE purposes and as such ACRRM is obliged to report participants’ compliance to Medicare Australia at the end of each triennium.

What is a "remote area" for RAE purposes?

A remote area for RAE purposes is one:

• That is more than 30 kms by road from a hospital that provides a radiology service under the direction of a specialist in diagnostic radiology;
• That is more than 30 kms by road from a free-standing radiology facility under the direction of a specialist in diagnostic radiology; and
• Where the facilities for rendering R-type diagnostic imaging services in the area in which the practice is situated (including facilities provided by practitioners visiting the area regularly) are such that patients in the area would suffer physical or financial hardship.

What are the ACRRM Radiology Program requirements?

A minimum of 30 points in approved diagnostic imaging activities is required for the ACRRM Radiology Program. These points can comprise of the following extended skills activities:

• Clinical Audit
• Clinical Attachment
• Peer Review
• Skills/Simulator Practical Training
• Film Reviews 15 films = 30 extended skills pts or 2pts per film

How do I join?

To enrol, complete the application form below and return it by fax to (07) 3105 8299. The program is open to ACRRM members only.

Radiology Forms

Download Remote Area Radiology Application Form

And to assist you with reporting and recording your activities:

 Download Radiology Film Interpretation Form

 Download Radiology Film Interpretation Form - Online (for use with the Radiology Online module)

 Download Radiology Clinical Attachment Form

Education Providers

Education providers can apply to ACRRM for accreditation and allocation of ACRRM PDP points for diagnostic radiology training activities. ACRRM will ensure the program is promoted to rural doctors and program participants. See the PDP Provider information section of this website for more information.