News | Endometriosis Ultrasound Takes 64% Longer; Australian Experts Call for Reimbursement Reform
A recent University of South Australia (UniSA) study found that ultrasound examinations for endometriosis take 64% longer than routine pelvic ultrasound. This difference is not reflected in Australia's Medicare reimbursement for ultrasound, leading many private clinics to avoid offering more detailed examinations because of the additional time required.
The study compared the duration of 199 transvaginal ultrasound examinations for endometriosis with 105 routine pelvic ultrasound examinations and confirmed that a comprehensive examination takes significantly longer. Lead researcher Alison Deslandes, a UniSA master's student and senior sonographer, said:
“The federal government's commitment in the new budget to invest A$58 million in specialized endometriosis clinics is welcome news for the approximately 800,000 Australian women affected. In practice, however, Medicare reimbursement does not cover more precise, time-intensive ultrasound, so diagnostic delays remain difficult to resolve.”
Endometriosis Takes an Average of 6.5 Years to Diagnose, and Ultrasound Is Essential
Endometriosis is a common but often overlooked gynecologic condition that can cause pelvic pain, irregular bleeding, and infertility. About 11% of Australian women are affected, and diagnosis takes an average of 6.5 years.
Deslandes said that although laparoscopy remains the diagnostic gold standard, transvaginal ultrasound has substantially improved noninvasive diagnostic accuracy in recent years, particularly for detecting **deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE)**.
Accurate lesion identification requires the sonographer to assess the uterus, ovaries, anterior and posterior pelvic compartments, uterosacral ligaments, and other structures systematically. This takes nearly twice as long as routine pelvic ultrasound. She noted:
“Ultrasound is the first-line gynecologic examination for most women. Most patients in private clinics, however, still receive only a basic pelvic ultrasound, which does not meet the needs of early endometriosis screening. Even when sonographers have the necessary skills, private clinics struggle to provide the service without Medicare reimbursement.”
New Measures Are Advancing, but Structural Barriers Remain
The federal government has committed to establishing specialist clinics nationwide and providing Medicare reimbursement for MRI. Although MRI is more sensitive, it is expensive and less accessible, so ultrasound will remain indispensable for first-line screening and follow-up.
Another study led by UniSA graduate student and sonographer Shae Maple is developing a standardized ultrasound protocol focused on accurately detecting uterosacral ligament lesions in general clinics. Maple said:
“Ultrasound is highly accurate in specialist centers, but we want to make it available in community clinics. Enabling more primary care clinicians and sonographers to use a scientific, reproducible protocol is key to shortening the time to diagnosis and improving treatment efficiency.”
Maple added that misconceptions about ultrasound diagnosis and reliance on surgical confirmation also cause unnecessary delays. “Many patients and doctors still mistakenly believe surgery is required for diagnosis and overlook the potential of imaging.”
Experts Say Medicare Reform Is Urgent
The research team called on the federal government to assess and adjust reimbursement for complex ultrasound while expanding MRI coverage. Otherwise, even with greater policy investment, long diagnostic delays and inadequate examinations will remain unresolved.
Deslandes concluded:
“We need more than specialist clinics; we need to optimize the entire diagnostic system. Women will truly benefit only when Medicare recognizes the value of ultrasound in diagnosing endometriosis and provides appropriate reimbursement.”
News | Endometriosis Ultrasound Takes 64% Longer; Australian Experts Call for Reimbursement Reform
News | Endometriosis Ultrasound Takes 64% Longer; Australian Experts Call for Reimbursement Reform
A recent University of South Australia (UniSA) study found that ultrasound examinations for endometriosis take 64% longer than routine pelvic ultrasound. This difference is not reflected in Australia's Medicare reimbursement for ultrasound, leading many private clinics to avoid offering more detailed examinations because of the additional time required.
The study compared the duration of 199 transvaginal ultrasound examinations for endometriosis with 105 routine pelvic ultrasound examinations and confirmed that a comprehensive examination takes significantly longer. Lead researcher Alison Deslandes, a UniSA master's student and senior sonographer, said:
“The federal government's commitment in the new budget to invest A$58 million in specialized endometriosis clinics is welcome news for the approximately 800,000 Australian women affected. In practice, however, Medicare reimbursement does not cover more precise, time-intensive ultrasound, so diagnostic delays remain difficult to resolve.”
Endometriosis Takes an Average of 6.5 Years to Diagnose, and Ultrasound Is Essential
Endometriosis is a common but often overlooked gynecologic condition that can cause pelvic pain, irregular bleeding, and infertility. About 11% of Australian women are affected, and diagnosis takes an average of 6.5 years.
Deslandes said that although laparoscopy remains the diagnostic gold standard, transvaginal ultrasound has substantially improved noninvasive diagnostic accuracy in recent years, particularly for detecting **deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE)**.
Accurate lesion identification requires the sonographer to assess the uterus, ovaries, anterior and posterior pelvic compartments, uterosacral ligaments, and other structures systematically. This takes nearly twice as long as routine pelvic ultrasound. She noted:
“Ultrasound is the first-line gynecologic examination for most women. Most patients in private clinics, however, still receive only a basic pelvic ultrasound, which does not meet the needs of early endometriosis screening. Even when sonographers have the necessary skills, private clinics struggle to provide the service without Medicare reimbursement.”
New Measures Are Advancing, but Structural Barriers Remain
The federal government has committed to establishing specialist clinics nationwide and providing Medicare reimbursement for MRI. Although MRI is more sensitive, it is expensive and less accessible, so ultrasound will remain indispensable for first-line screening and follow-up.
Another study led by UniSA graduate student and sonographer Shae Maple is developing a standardized ultrasound protocol focused on accurately detecting uterosacral ligament lesions in general clinics. Maple said:
“Ultrasound is highly accurate in specialist centers, but we want to make it available in community clinics. Enabling more primary care clinicians and sonographers to use a scientific, reproducible protocol is key to shortening the time to diagnosis and improving treatment efficiency.”
Maple added that misconceptions about ultrasound diagnosis and reliance on surgical confirmation also cause unnecessary delays. “Many patients and doctors still mistakenly believe surgery is required for diagnosis and overlook the potential of imaging.”
Experts Say Medicare Reform Is Urgent
The research team called on the federal government to assess and adjust reimbursement for complex ultrasound while expanding MRI coverage. Otherwise, even with greater policy investment, long diagnostic delays and inadequate examinations will remain unresolved.
Deslandes concluded:
“We need more than specialist clinics; we need to optimize the entire diagnostic system. Women will truly benefit only when Medicare recognizes the value of ultrasound in diagnosing endometriosis and provides appropriate reimbursement.”
Story source:
Collected online