2025-02-26
The Australian Greens have today launched a plan to add ADHD and autism assessments to Medicare, in a bid to save people seeking a diagnosis thousands in out-of-pocket costs.
A core message of the Greens’ plan for minority government is taxing big corporations and billionaires to pay for essential services, including getting dental into Medicare and making it free to see the GP.
Making ADHD and autism assessments available through Medicare is the latest in the Greens’ series of ‘Robin Hood’ reforms aimed at easing the skyrocketing cost-of-living.
Under the Parliamentary Budget Office-costed plan, ADHD and autism assessments would be added to Medicare and could be billed by a paediatrician, psychiatrist, psychologist, nurse practitioner or general practitioner.
People of all ages would be eligible to claim the item, and the rebate would be set at the average cost of a diagnosis which would allow health practitioners to bulk bill.
The plan would cost $181 million dollars over the forward estimates.
There are currently no regulations around the cost of assessments, leading private operators to charge whatever they feel they can get away with.
In their submission to a 2023 Senate inquiry into Assessment and Support Services for people with ADHD, the ADHD Foundation advised it was aware of some professionals charging up to $5,000 for ADHD assessments.
And in its submission to a 2022 Senate inquiry into Services, Supports and Life Outcomes for Autistic Australians, Australian Autism Alliance revealed details of a survey it conducted in which 40 per cent of respondents reported paying over $1,000 for an autism assessment, with out-of-pocket costs reaching as high as $3,000.
Quotes attributable to Leader of the Australian Greens, Adam Bandt MP:
”The Greens will make big corporations and billionaires pay tax so you don’t have to pay thousands to get an ADHD or autism diagnosis.
“In a wealthy country like ours, everyone should be able to afford basic care. Adding ADHD and autism assessments to Medicare will help people around the country get the services and support they need.
“Labor has already adopted the Greens’ plan to expand Medicare to see the GP for free and getting these assessments covered too, as well as dental and mental health, are logical next steps.
“We can’t keep voting for the same two parties and expecting a different result. This election will be the most important in a generation. By electing more Greens we can keep Peter Dutton out and get Labor to act on the cost-of-living crisis.
“With poll after poll indicating we’re headed towards a minority parliament, if people vote Greens we can keep Dutton out and get cost of living relief like adding ADHD and autism assessments, as well as dental and mental health, to Medicare.”
Quotes attributable to Australian Greens disability spokesperson, Senator Jordon Steele-John:
“Neurodivergent people have been left behind in this country for far too long.
“I’ve heard countless stories of the barriers people are experiencing in accessing a diagnosis; the cost is too high, there are long wait times and there is stigma associated with seeking an ADHD or autism assessment.
“In the last term of parliament, the Greens established a Senate inquiry on the assessment and support services available to people with ADHD, and by electing more Greens we can get the next parliament to put diagnosis for ADHD and autism into Medicare – making a diagnosis a possibility for thousands of people across Australia.
“Access to a formal ADHD or autism diagnosis unlocks support, but it currently comes at a hefty price tag. Nobody should have to pay thousands of dollars just to begin the conversation, especially when we know this community is likely already struggling with a lack of support.
“The Greens are committed to expanding the list of healthcare providers that can undertake an ADHD or autism diagnosis. By allowing a wider range of healthcare providers to diagnose we will reduce wait times, we will bring down the financial barriers, and support our healthcare providers to work to the top of their scope of practice.”