Rita

More to the point, what do the results show?  Are Australians VitD deficient as well as little Englanders?

If not, why is it being measured so much?  If they are, have we got the reference range wrong?

Michael

Very similar data here in sunny (but very “sunscreened”) Australia too, with (on average) every 7^th Australian having had a vit D test  in 2012. On average this meant 5.5 AUD spent on vit D testing for every single citizen in Australia in 2012. However, the government is reviewing the reimbursement schedule and the below data come from their review protocol.

(NB: France and the UK have about 3x as much population as Australia, so the figure from France indicates that the situation is still somewhat better in France than in AU – mind you the French may not use as much sunscreen as the Aussies; and the Brits perhaps still do not get enough sunshine, in spite of the global warming trends and increasing hot summers in the UK? J Time for action indeed!

Table A.2: Number of claims for Vitamin D testing MBS items since 2000/2001

Source: Department of Human Services Medicare

the number of claims for vitamin D testing is particularly significant for females aged between 24 and 84, showing a marked increase from 2008 to 2012 (green line) compared to 2004-2008 (red line) and 2000 to 2004 (blue line).

Figure A.1: Usage of MBS item 66608 by age and gender since 2000

Figure A.2 shows that the annual MBS benefits paid for vitamin D testing (item numbers 66608 and 66609) has increased significantly from $2.6 million in 2002 to $126.5 million in 2012.  The significant increase in the benefits paid for both item numbers is consistent with the increase in the volume of claims.

Figure A.2: Benefits paid for MBS item number 66608 and 66609 since 2002/2003

Source: Department of Human Services Medicare

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