Patient information
Medicare and Pricing
Medicare
Changes to Medicare imaging claims
From 1 July 2026, updated Medicare legislative requirements are available for imaging services that are bulk billed.
If your imaging service is billed directly to Medicare, you will be asked to provide consent for an Assignment of Benefits (AoB) prior to your examination. This allows Medicare to pay the benefit directly to your imaging provider on your behalf. A consent form is required for each billed service, and Imaging providers are required to retain a record of this consent.
What this means for your appointment
As per this new legislation, consent will be completed as part of the check‑in process:
- You will be asked to review and sign an AoB form when you arrive
- This is a brief step and part of standard administrative procedures
- Where multiple services are performed, these may be grouped or recorded separately depending on how they are billed
- Your signed form will be securely stored as part of your billing record
Who this applies to
This requirement applies to patients whose imaging services are billed directly to Medicare.
Privately billed services are not affected, unless otherwise advised.
If consent is not provided
Medicare requires consent for bulk billing to occur. If consent is refused, the service will be billed privately, and payment will be required on the day.
Additional information
- A parent or legal guardian can provide consent for a patient under 18
- If a patient is unable to sign, appropriate arrangements will be made in line with relevant legal requirements.
Billing
All patients are advised of any fees prior to their examination being performed based on presentation of a doctors referral.
All general and dental X-rays, EOS, and CT scans are bulk-billed for all patients at most South Coast Radiology locations.
Outpatient nuclear medicine examinations are bulk billed at all locations.
If you have a doctor’s referral, a Medicare card, and your examination meets Medicare criteria you will receive a rebate for a percentage of the cost.
A number of our practices can charge Medicare directly resulting in no out-of-pocket costs for the patient.
If you hold a current Government Health Care or Pension Card then you will be bulk-billed for most examinations. All DVA patients with Gold Card entitlements are billed directly to the Department of Veterans Affairs.
You will be advised of any fees upon time of your booking, and prior to imaging on the day. For more information visit our billing, payment and rebates page.
Australian private health insurance will cover some of the costs if you have radiology tests while an inpatient in a private hospital. Medicare will cover 75% of the Schedule Fee and your private health insurance will refund 25% of the Schedule Fee (MBS) for associated medical costs, such as radiology tests.
For all medical imaging services in a private hospital Accident and Emergency department prior to being admitted as an inpatient, normal outpatient fees apply.
Currently, Australian private health insurers do not pay the gap between the Medicare rebate and what you pay for any outpatient radiology tests. Medicare offers a safety net system to help patients if they need to pay for large amounts over and above the Medicare rebate. This only applies to outpatient services.
Please contact Medicare on 132 011 for more information. For more information visit our billing, payment and rebates page.
If you are not eligible for cover through Medicare you will be charged a fee for services, but you will be given a quote beforehand.
If you have travel insurance, check your policy to see if your medical expenses, such as radiology tests, are covered by that insurance.
For more information visit our billing, payment and rebates page.