All accounts are expected to be settled on the day that service is provided by Melbourne Radiology Clinic.
Our Fees
Our fees reflect the service, training and dedication of our professional staff and are in line with that seen in other quality radiology practices that provide the latest technology and state of the art equipment. Complex and expensive equipment is required to provide an accurate diagnosis and an effective modern radiology practice.
Bulk-Billed Services
Bulk-Billing, that is to say, no “out of pocket” or “no gap” examinations are available for:
- Pensioner Concession Card Holders
- Health Care Card Holders
- DVA Gold / White Card Holders
- Full Time University or Tertiary Students.
These radiology services include the following diagnostic scans and interventional procedures: CT scan, CT Guided Injection, X-ray, Ultrasound scan and Ultrasound Guided Injection.
The only current MRI examinations that will be bulk-billed are those that meet all of the following three criteria as per the recent Medicare expansion of MRI services to the public:
- Referred by a GP
- Patient under 16 years of age
- MRI region(s) to be scanned: brain, spine, elbow, wrist, hip and/or knee.
NOTE: Patients must have a valid Medicare card with them at the time of their appointment.
MRI
Most MRI scans conducted at Melbourne Radiology Clinic are not reimbursed by the government. Patients not meeting the criteria outlined above (see “Bulk-Billing” section) are unable to have their MRI expenses claimed from Medicare or any private health fund, so patients are liable for the entire expense of the MRI examination.
Please note that patients referred by TAC, Workcover and Veteran Affairs are usually covered with a pre-certification authority provided by these third party insurers.
Should the nature of your test alter at the time of the study (for example, an incorrect test is ordered or further treatment has been required that could not have been anticipated at the time of booking) then this may alter the cost of the test and therefore the gap.
Payment
We accept all major credit cards and cash and also provide EFTPOS facilities at our practice.
Please note that we do not accept personal cheques.
Patients who experience severe financial difficulty may ask to discuss their individual situation with our practice manager.
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
Melbourne Radiology Clinic provides 'Direct Billing' (No out of pocket expense) for OSHC Worldcare, AHM and Medibank OSHC international students.
To access Direct Billing please make sure you bring your current membership card with you.
Fees vary between different types of tests and an out of pocket expense, known as "the gap", will be charged to private patients. The Medicare rebate provided by the Federal Government will partially refund our fee, however the amount refunded by the government has not increased with the cost of living over the last 10 years, resulting in an effective decrease in the Medicare rebate by at least 30%. During this time however, the sophistication and cost of modern radiology equipment has increased. These factors combined have unfortunately resulted in and increased payment contribution by patients (the gap).
Please also refer to the Australian Medical Association's Informed Financial Consent (IFC) guidelines 2006.
Australian Medical Association's Informed Financial Consent (IFC) guidelines 2006.
