The issue of private MRIs has been discussed for years, Lenert continued, saying the pandemic had delayed further developments within the Ministry on the topic. Despite this, she promised intensive work would continue to resolve the issue.
Lenert called it a “political fire” and said she had taken the necessary steps as part of her obligation as Minister.
Patient safety is the priority here, she added. There were no immediate plans to shut down the MRI machine in Potaschberg as it would not benefit patients to do so. The ministry would have to take it in good faith that everything at the clinic was in order, she said.
Next week, the Ministry plans to hold discussions with all partners, including doctors and radiologists, to see how the situation stands. Currently, the National Health Fund does not fully reimburse MRI scans conducted by private practices and would also be unlikely to do so in future, because there is no legal basis.
