title: Footing the bill: the introduction of Medicare Benefits Schedule rebates for podiatry services in Australia.
abstract: The introduction of Medicare Benefits Schedule items for allied health professionals in 2004 was a pivotal event in the public funding of non-medical primary care services. This commentary seeks to provide supplementary discussion of the article by Menz (Utilisation of podiatry services in Australia under the Medicare Enhanced Primary Care program, 2004-2008 Journal of Foot and Ankle Research 2009, 2:30), by placing these findings within the context of the podiatry profession, clinical decision making and the broader health workforce and government policy.
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia. anthony@podiatrypractice.com.au.
authors.forename: Anthony J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Short