New treatment for Essential Tremor available through Medicare

Australians living with essential tremor can now access Magnetic Resonance-Guided Focused Ultrasound (MRgFUS) through Medicare, with the implementation of services funded through the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS).

20 March 2024

PEOPLE suffering from essential tremor experience involuntary movement in their hands, arms and fingers making it difficult to do daily tasks.

MRgFUS is a new procedure that targets a specific point in the brain that is believed to cause the tremors.

It is an alternative option for people who are not able to undergo invasive brain surgery.

Adding MRgFUS to the MBS will make it more affordable and accessible to people with essential tremor.

The Government expects that up to 440 people will benefit from MRgFUS treatment over the next 4 years.

Minister for Health, Mark Butler said “Adding this new ultrasound therapy to the Medicare Benefits Schedule, makes it a more accessible and affordable treatment option for Australians with essential tremor.

“This is a cutting-edge treatment and an alternative option for patients who are not able to undergo invasive brain surgery.

“The Albanese Government is strengthening Medicare by making healthcare more affordable and adding new treatments to the Medicare Benefits Schedule, encouraging doctors to bulk bill and delivering cheaper medicines.”