'Fair bet' Medicare review to save money

The health department insists the federal government's Medicare review isn't targeting savings, although "it's a pretty fair bet" some will be found.

Secretary Martin Bowles told a Senate estimates hearing in Canberra it was inevitable the review of 5700 items on the Medicare Benefits Schedule would find some, but insisted it was not a savings exercise.

The hearing was told work had begun on six priority areas of review, including pathology, diagnostic imaging, gastroenterology, obstetrics, ear, nose and throat surgery and thoracic medicine, with an interim report due by Christmas.