Injured workers needing x-rays and scans would be left out of pocket under changes to the workers' compensation scheme, doctors and radiologists have warned.

The Australian Diagnostic Imaging Association (ADIA), the NSW branch of the Australian Medical Association (AMA) and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR) have raised concerns that a new fee schedule based on Medicare rates will disadvantage patients needing access to x-rays, CT and MRI scans.

The medical groups said the new schedule would provide lower fees for MRI and CT services than have been previously provided. They said this meant that patient care may be compromised to save costs for the government insurance agency icare.

The groups representing doctors and radiologists have also complained the government did not listen to their concerns before making the changes which take effect this month. The groups say they were given little warning of many "confused" changes to the fee schedule which was previously based on AMA recommendations.

The medical groups say the changes mean patients will no longer be prioritised based on their need or desire to return to work because the government will no longer pay above Medicare rates for their private services. The government has also encouraged the sector to prioritise patients based on their medical needs.