Background to the SchemeThe Diagnostic Imaging Accreditation Scheme was established in June 2007 through a Federal amendment to the Health Insurance Act 1973.
It covers a range of diagnostic imaging services under the Radiology Quality and outlays Memorandum of Understanding (Radiology MOU), and from 1 July 2008 accreditation became a mandatory prerequisite in order to qualify for the payment of Medicare benefits for those services.
The Scheme was implemented in stages to ensure that practices had ample time to prepare for accreditation under the DIAS and to allow the continuation of Medicare benefits during the transition.
From the commencement of the Stage II Scheme on 1 July 2010, all practices that offer diagnostic imaging services must be accredited under the DIAS, or deemed to be so, in order to remain eligible for Medicare benefits.
Transitional arrangements are in place to allow practices accredited under Stage I to remain eligible to receive Medicare funding for diagnostic imaging services until 30 June 2012, by which time they must demonstrate compliance against the full suite of Practice Accreditation Standards.
Practices that registered for deemed accreditation under stage II of the scheme can continue to provide Medicare funded diagnostic imaging services until 30 June 2011, while working towards accreditation under the Stage II Scheme. All registrations for deemed accreditation closed on 30 June 2010. The NATA DifferenceSeeking accreditation under the DIAS through NATA offers many advantages, including: - The support of a nationally recognised accreditation body with extensive experience in the Australian healthcare industry, delivering rigorous and robust accreditation programs to Australia’s Pathology and Medical Imaging communities.
- NATA is the only accrediting body that provides pathways from the mandatory DIAS to a higher level accreditation, in the form of the voluntary RANZCR/NATA Medical Imaging Accreditation Program (MIAP).
- A simple and streamlined online assessment tool.
- A team of dedicated professionals, with a sound understanding of the needs of diagnostic imaging practices, having supported practices through Stage I of the DIAS.
- On-site access to an industry specialist with 30 years’ imaging experience across multiple modalities in numerous settings.
- A dedicated case manager to provide a single, consistent point-of-contact, to build a working knowledge of each practice and to assist staff to work through issues as they arise.
Important Information- Stage I accredited practices moving to the Stage II Scheme need to apply for and be assessed against the full suite of Practice Accreditation Standards within 2 years from 1 July 2010 and by 30 June 2012. The Medicare claims system will be automatically updated to include non-radiology services for practices accredited under the Stage I Scheme, where items of equipment used to provide these services are listed under the LSPN as at 30 June 2010. See details below.
- Non-radiology practices that entered the Scheme under transitional arrangements* by 30 June 2010 will have until 30 June 2011 in which to be assessed against the Practice Accreditation Standards. Practices that were eligible for deemed accreditation can choose to be assessed against the entry level or the full suite Practice Accreditation Standards. See below for details.
- Non-accredited practices which have previously been accredited under Stage I of the Scheme and are seeking to re-enter the scheme, will need to be assessed against the full suite of Practice Accreditation Standards.
- Practices entering the Scheme for the first time from 1 July 2010 can choose to be assessed against the entry level Practice Accreditation Standards or the full suite Practice Accreditation Standards within the first year of participation. See below for details.
- Practices with RANZCR/NATA Medical Imaging Accreditation (MIAP) are recognised as complying with the requirements of the DIAS. The recognition of your MIAP accreditation under DIAS remains valid only if your accreditation under MIAP is current. NATA will ensure that practices accredited under MIAP transition seamlessly through the DIAS requirements within the current accreditation activities to minimise any interruptions to the practice.
- Once practices have been accredited against the full suite Practice Accreditation Standards, they will enter the four-yearly maintenance program.
Fee Schedule
NATA's Fee Schedule 2011 - 2012 for DIAS II. Diagnostic Imaging Accreditation ResourcesNATA Diagnostic Imaging Accreditation Scheme Brochure
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions on the Diagnostic Imaging Accreditation Scheme (DIAS)
Contact Us
Our highly qualified and experienced staff understand the needs of diagnostic imaging practices and are fully conversant in the requirements of the DIAS.
For more information:
To speak with a member of the NATA diagnostic imaging team, email
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or phone 1800 621 666.
Stage I accredited practices moving to the Stage II SchemeGet Started
Gaining accreditation has never been easier:
Stage I accredited practices moving to the Stage II Scheme are automatically granted accreditation until 30 June 2012 during which time the practice will remain eligible to provide Medicare funded diagnostic imaging services. Prior to 30 June 2012, the practice must apply for, and be granted accreditation against the full suite of Practice Accreditation Standards.
If your Stage I accredited practice also provides non-radiology services, you will remain eligible to provide these services as Medicare funded services from 1 July 2010 if the equipment used to provide these services is registered to your LSPN prior to 30 June 2010.
Our online accreditation tool will guide you through the process and comes complete with a help function and sample evidence requirements.
Shortly, your practice will be issued with a username and password. From 1 July 2010, practices accredited with NATA at Stage I will be able to complete their application for accreditation under the Stage II Scheme by logging on and completing the online self-assessment checklist, making sure to attach documentary evidence of their practices compliance with the full suite Practice Accreditation Standards.
Once the checklist on your practice has been completed, NATA staff will undertake a desktop audit of the evidence provided and make a decision on granting of accreditation under the DIAS. Provided the document review is satisfactory, accreditation will be granted and your practice (LSPN) provided with a certificate and window sticker suitable for display.
Stage I accredited practices moving to the Stage II Scheme must be assessed against the full suite of Practice Accreditation Standards by 30 June 2012 to remain eligible to provide Medicare funded diagnostic imaging services.
Once accreditation is achieved against the full suite Practice Accreditation Standards, your practice will enter a maintenance program. Under the maintenance program, practices must demonstrate compliance against the practice Accreditation Standards every four years.
Steps: - Did your practice apply for Stage I accreditation with NATA? If so, skip to step 3.
- Complete the online registration form and await further instructions.
- From 1 July 2010, complete your practice’s application for accreditation by logging on and completing the online self-assessment checklist, making sure to attach documentary evidence of compliance with the full suite Practice Accreditation Standards.
Fees for this service are shown in our Fee Schedule.
Practices accredited with another provider
Get Started
Gaining accreditation has never been easier:
The commencement of the next phase of the Scheme provides an ideal opportunity for practices to re-evaluate their existing accreditation arrangements and select a Stage II approved provider of accreditation services.
Seeking accreditation under the DIAS through NATA offers many advantages, including: - The support of a nationally recognised accreditation body with extensive experience in the Australian healthcare industry, delivering rigorous and robust accreditation programs to Australia’s Pathology and Medical Imaging communities.
- NATA is the only accrediting body that provides pathways from the mandatory DIAS to a higher level accreditation, in the form of the voluntary RANZCR/NATA Medical Imaging Accreditation Program (MIAP).
- A simple and streamlined online assessment tool.
- A team of dedicated professionals, with a sound understanding of the needs of diagnostic imaging practices, having supported practices through Stage I of the DIAS.
- On-site access to an industry specialist with 30 years’ imaging experience across multiple modalities in numerous settings.
- A dedicated case manager to provide a single, consistent point-of-contact, to build a working knowledge of each practice and to assist staff to work through issues as they arise.
To apply for accreditation under DIAS through NATA, follow the link below and complete an online registration form. You will then be issued with a username and password to access NATA’s online assessment tool.
Practices are able to complete their application for accreditation under the Stage II Scheme by logging on and completing the online self-assessment checklist, making sure to attach documentary evidence of their practices compliance with the full suite Practice Accreditation Standards.
Once the checklist on your practice has been completed, NATA staff will undertake a desktop audit of the evidence provided and make a decision on granting of accreditation under DIAS. Provided the document review is satisfactory, accreditation will be granted and your practice (LSPN) provided with a certificate and window sticker suitable for display.
Stage I accredited practices moving to the Stage II scheme need to apply for and be assessed against the full suite of Practice Accreditation Standards by 30 June 2012 to remain eligible to provide Medicare funded diagnostic imaging services.
Once accreditation is achieved against the full suite Practice Accreditation Standards, your practice will enter a maintenance program. Under the maintenance program, practices must demonstrate compliance against the practice Accreditation Standards every four years. Steps: - Complete the online registration form.
- You will be issued with a user name and password to access the online assessment tool.
- From 1 July 2010, complete your practice’s application for accreditation by logging on and completing the online self-assessment checklist, making sure to attach documentary evidence of compliance with the full suite Practice Accreditation Standards.
Please note that you will be required to provide evidence of your Stage I accreditation.
Fees for this service are shown in our Fee Schedule
Non-accredited practices which have previously been accreditedGet started
Gaining accreditation has never been easier:
To apply for accreditation under DIAS through NATA, follow the link below and complete an online registration form. You will then be issued with a username and password to access the online assessment tool.
From 1 July 2010, non-accredited practices that have previously been accredited will be able to apply for accreditation against the full suite of Practice Accreditation Standards by logging on and completing the online self-assessment checkllst, making sure to attach documentary evidence of their practices compliance with the Standards.
Within 30 business days of receiving the completed application, NATA will conduct a desktop audit to determine the practices compliance with the full suite of Practice Accreditation Standards and make an accreditation decision.
Once your practice has submitted its completed checklist, NATA staff will undertake a desktop audit of the evidence provided and make a decision regarding the granting of accreditation under the DIAS. Provided the document review is satisfactory, accreditation will be granted and your practice (LSPN) provided with a certificate and window sticker suitable for display.
Please note that your Practice will not be eligible to provide Medicare funded diagnostic imaging services until accreditation is awarded.
Steps: - Complete the online registration form
- You will shortly be issued with a user name and password to access the online assessment tool.
- From 1 July 2010, complete your practice’s application for accreditation by logging on and completing the online self-assessment checklist, making sure to attach documentary evidence of compliance with the full suite Practice Accreditation Standards.
Fees for this service are shown in our Fee Schedule.
Non-accredited practice seeking accreditation for the first time
Get started Gaining accreditation has never been easier:
Practices entering the Scheme for the first time can choose to be assessed against the entry level Practice Accreditation Standards or the full suite Practice Accreditation Standards in the first instance.
Practices that choose to enter the Scheme under the entry level Practice Accreditation Standards must then be accredited against the full suite Practice Accreditation Standards within two years of achieving accreditation against the entry level standards. Once accreditation is achieved against the full suite Standards, the practice will enter the maintenance program. Under the maintenance program, practices must demonstrate compliance against the Practice Accreditation Standards every four years.
Practices that choose to enter the Scheme under the full suite Practice Accreditation Standards will then enter the maintenance program. Under the maintenance program, practices must demonstrate compliance against the Practice Accreditation Standards every four years.
To apply for accreditation under DIAS through NATA, follow the link below and complete the online form. You will be issued with a username and password to access the online assessment tool.
You will then be able to apply for accreditation under the Scheme by logging on and completing the online self-assessment checklist, making sure to attach documentary evidence of your practices’ compliance with the Practice Accreditation Standards. Fees for this service are shown in our Fee Schedule.
Once you have submitted your completed checklist, NATA staff will undertake a desktop audit of the evidence provided and make a decision regarding the granting of accreditation under the DIAS. Provided the document review is satisfactory, accreditation will be granted and your practice (LSPN) provided with a certificate and window sticker suitable for display.
Practices entering the Scheme after 1 July 2010 must be awarded accreditation under the Scheme in order to become eligible to provide Medicare funded diagnostic imaging services.
Steps: - Complete the online registration form
- You will shortly be issued with a user name and password to access the online assessment tool.
- From 1 July 2010, complete your practice’s application for accreditation by logging on and completing the online self-assessment checklist, making sure to attach documentary evidence of compliance with the relevant Practice Accreditation Standards.
Fees for this service are shown in our Fee Schedule.
RANZCR/NATA MIAP accredited practices
Get Started
Gaining accreditation has never been easier:
Practices with accreditation under the voluntary RANZCR/NATA Medical Imaging Accreditation Program (MIAP) will have their MIAP accreditation recognised under the broadened Scheme. The NATA Medical Imaging staff will ensure that all DIAS requirements are performed seamlessly within the current accreditation activities to minimise any interruptions to your practice.
Please see below for more information as it pertains to your practices specific circumstances. Stage I accredited practices moving to Stage II Any practice accredited until 30 June 2010 because their MIAP accreditation was recognised in Stage I will maintain their accreditation under the Stage II Scheme from 1 July 2010 to 30 June 2012. NATA will ensure that Medicare is notified of the practices continued accreditation and that it is recognised for the purposes of the Stage II Scheme. There will be no additional cost to practices. After 1 July 2012, the expiration of your DIAS accreditation will fall into line with the expiration date for your RANZCR/NATA MIAP accreditation. Thereafter, while the practice maintains its MIAP accreditation, NATA will ensure that Medicare is notified of the practices’ continued accreditation and that it is recognised for the purposes of the Scheme.
* Transitional arrangements were put in place to allow practices in operation prior to 1 July 2010, providing non-radiology services, who were not accredited under the Stage I Scheme to register without initially demonstrating compliance with the entry level Practice Accreditation Standards. Transitional arrangements ceased on 30 June 2010.
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