PATIENT GUIDESMedical imaging guides: A little clarity.
Medical imaging guides: A little clarity.
Before your scan.
Understand your referral, prepare for your appointment
and know what to ask about costs.
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Patient guides
62 guides
MRI Scan: What to Expect, Preparation & Cost
Everything you need to know about MRI scans in Australia - how they work, how to prepare, what happens during the scan, how much they cost, and whether you need a referral.
8 min readCT Scan: What to Expect, Preparation & Cost
A complete guide to CT scans in Australia - how they work, what they detect, how to prepare, costs, and whether Medicare covers your scan.
7 min readX-Ray: What to Expect, Preparation & Cost
Your guide to X-rays in Australia - how they work, what they're used for, preparation tips, costs, and where to get one near you.
5 min readUltrasound: What to Expect, Preparation & Cost
A complete patient guide to ultrasound scans in Australia - how they work, what they detect, preparation, costs, and whether you need a referral.
6 min readMammography: What to Expect & How to Prepare
Everything you need to know about mammograms in Australia - what they are, how to prepare, what to expect, screening programs, and costs.
6 min readDEXA Scan: Bone Density Testing Explained
A guide to DEXA bone density scans in Australia - what they measure, who should get one, preparation, what to expect, and costs.
5 min readMRI vs CT Scan: What's the Difference?
MRI and CT scans are both used for detailed body imaging, but they work differently and are suited to different conditions. Learn which scan is right for you.
6 min readDo I Need a Referral for an MRI, CT or Ultrasound?
Which scans need a doctor's referral in Australia, which don't, how long a referral stays valid, and what paying privately without one really costs - covering MRI, CT, ultrasound, X-ray and DEXA.
7 min readCan I Use My Imaging Referral at Another Clinic?
Yes - in Australia you can choose your imaging provider, even if your referral is printed on another clinic's letterhead. How to check the clinic performs your scan, confirm costs, and book.
2 min readHow Much Do Medical Scans Cost in Australia?
A breakdown of medical imaging costs in Australia - X-ray, ultrasound, CT, MRI, and more. Learn about Medicare rebates, bulk billing, and out-of-pocket costs.
7 min readBulk Billed MRI, CT & Ultrasound Explained
How bulk billed MRI, CT, ultrasound and X-ray work in Australia. Who is eligible, how to find bulk-billing clinics, and what you pay out of pocket.
5 min readPET Scan: What to Expect, Preparation & Cost
A PET scan uses a radioactive tracer to show how your tissues are working. Allow 2–3 hours at the clinic. Preparation, costs and Medicare coverage explained.
7 min readNuclear Medicine Scans: What You Need to Know
A patient guide to nuclear medicine imaging in Australia - bone scans, thyroid scans, lung scans, and more. How they work, what to expect, and costs.
6 min readPreparing Your Child for Medical Imaging
A parent's guide to helping your child through X-rays, ultrasounds, CT scans, and MRI. Tips for reducing anxiety and what to expect at the appointment.
6 min readUnderstanding Your Radiology Report
A guide to reading and understanding your medical imaging report. Learn what common terms mean, what to expect, and how to discuss results with your doctor.
6 min readWhat Is Contrast Dye? Safety, Side Effects & Tips
Learn about contrast dye (contrast agents) used in CT, MRI, and other imaging scans - what it does, whether it's safe, possible side effects, and how to prepare.
6 min readYour First Imaging Appointment: What to Expect
Never had a medical scan before? Here's a step-by-step guide to what happens at an imaging clinic - from check-in to getting your results.
5 min readHow to Choose an Imaging Clinic in Australia
A practical guide to choosing the right radiology clinic for your scan - what to look for, questions to ask, and how to compare clinics near you.
5 min readWhat Is a Medical Referral? A Complete Guide for Patients
Understand what a medical imaging referral is, why you need one, what it contains, and how the referral process works in Australia's healthcare system.
7 min readHow to Read Your Imaging Referral: A Section-by-Section Guide
Every section of your imaging referral explained: scan type, clinical indication, provider numbers and expiry, so you know what your doctor ordered and why.
8 min readUnderstanding Your Imaging Referral with Ron
Learn how Ron, Radly's referral scanner, helps you understand your medical imaging referral in plain English - what the scan is, why it was ordered, and what to expect.
5 min readScan Your Referral with Ron: Find the Right Clinic Instantly
Upload or photograph your imaging referral and let Ron, Radly's referral scanner, match you with the best clinics for your scan - by location, price, bulk billing, and availability.
5 min readWhat Does Clinical Indication Mean? Plain-English Guide
The clinical indication is the medical reason your doctor ordered your scan. What it tells the radiologist, how it affects your Medicare rebate, and shorthand like "?fracture" and "3/52" decoded.
7 min readWhat Happens After You Get an Imaging Referral?
A step-by-step guide to what happens after your doctor gives you an imaging referral - from booking your scan to receiving results and follow-up.
7 min readWhat to Bring to Your Imaging Appointment: Complete Checklist
A complete checklist of everything you need to bring to your medical imaging appointment in Australia - documents, clothing tips, and preparation reminders.
5 min readHow to Prepare for Medical Imaging: A Guide by Scan Type
Detailed preparation instructions for every type of medical imaging scan in Australia - X-ray, ultrasound, CT, MRI, PET, DEXA, and more.
8 min readWhat Do My Scan Results Mean? A Plain-English Guide
Waiting on scan results? See which scary-sounding radiology report terms are usually harmless, which ones actually matter, when you'll get your results, and the questions worth asking your doctor.
8 min readChoosing the Right Imaging Test: X-Ray, Ultrasound, CT or MRI?
Not sure which scan you need? This guide explains the difference between X-ray, ultrasound, CT and MRI in plain language - what each test finds, how long it takes, and what questions to ask your doctor.
6 min readHow to Compare Imaging Clinics Side by Side
A step-by-step guide to comparing radiology clinics in Australia - what to look at, which factors actually matter, and how to use Radly's free comparison tool to make the best choice for your scan.
6 min readUpload Your Referral From Your Phone: How Radly's QR Code Scan Works
Using Radly on your computer? Scan a QR code with your phone to photograph your paper referral - it syncs back to your desktop automatically. No app needed.
5 min readUse Radly in Your Language: Booking Medical Imaging in Chinese, Vietnamese, Arabic & Greek
Radly is available in English, Mandarin, Vietnamese, Arabic and Greek. Learn how to switch languages, find Victorian clinics with staff who speak your language, and book with confidence.
6 min readFind Imaging Clinics Near You With Radly's Map View
See every matching imaging clinic in Victoria on an interactive map. Learn how Radly's map view, pin clusters and location search help you find the most convenient clinic.
5 min readCheck If an Imaging Clinic Is Open Right Now - Before You Call
Radly shows live open-now status, weekly hours, typical wait times and whether Victorian imaging clinics are accepting new patients - so you can stop calling around.
5 min readCompare Scan Prices Before You Book: Radly's Price Transparency Tools
Imaging prices vary widely between Australian clinics. Learn how Radly shows full fees, Medicare rebates and out-of-pocket costs upfront - and how to compare Victorian clinics side by side.
7 min readMedical Imaging During Pregnancy: What's Safe?
Which imaging tests are safe during pregnancy in Australia - ultrasound, MRI, X-ray, and CT explained, plus advice on contrast dye and breastfeeding.
6 min readImaging Costs With a Concession Card: What You Pay
How Pension, Health Care, and DVA cards affect the cost of X-rays, ultrasounds, CT and MRI scans in Australia - and how to find clinics that bulk-bill concession holders.
6 min readClaustrophobic? How to Get Through an MRI Scan
Practical tips for managing claustrophobia during an MRI in Australia - what the scanner is really like, wide-bore and open MRI options, sedation, music, and breathing techniques.
6 min readWorkCover & TAC Imaging in Victoria: Who Pays?
Getting a scan after a workplace or transport accident in Victoria - how WorkCover and TAC claims cover imaging, what your referral needs, and choosing your own clinic.
6 min readHeart Imaging Tests Explained: Echo, CT, MRI & More
A patient's guide to heart imaging in Australia - echocardiograms, cardiac CT and calcium scores, cardiac MRI, and stress tests, including what each shows and general costs.
7 min readBack Pain: When Do You Actually Need a Scan?
Why most back pain doesn't need imaging straight away, the red flags that do, and how X-ray, CT and MRI compare for the spine - a guide for Australian patients.
7 min readSports Injury Scans: Ultrasound, MRI or X-Ray?
Which scan suits which sports injury - ultrasound for muscles and tendons, MRI for ligaments like the ACL, X-ray for fractures - and when to image versus rest, for Australian patients.
7 min readWomen's Health Imaging: Pelvic, Breast & Bone Scans
A guide to common women's health imaging in Australia - pelvic ultrasound, mammograms and breast imaging, DEXA bone density scans after menopause, and BreastScreen.
7 min readMen's Health Imaging: Prostate MRI, Ultrasound & More
Common imaging tests for men's health in Australia - prostate MRI and PSA testing, scrotal ultrasound, AAA screening ultrasound, and bone density scans for older men.
6 min readHow Long Do Imaging Results Take in Australia?
Typical turnaround times for X-ray, ultrasound, CT and MRI results in Australia, how reports reach your GP, urgent reporting, and how to access your own images.
6 min readPelvic Ultrasound: What to Expect, Preparation & Cost
A patient guide to pelvic ultrasound in Australia - what the scan checks, transabdominal vs transvaginal approaches, the full-bladder preparation, costs, and bulk billing.
6 min readTransvaginal Ultrasound: What to Expect & Why It's Done
What a transvaginal (internal) ultrasound involves in Australia - why doctors recommend it, whether it hurts, consent and chaperones, safety in pregnancy, preparation, and cost.
6 min readSonography vs Ultrasound: What's the Difference?
Sonography, sonogram, ultrasound - what the terms mean, what a sonographer does, the types of sonography available in Australia, and how to book a scan with a referral.
5 min readKnee MRI: What It Shows, Cost & Referral Rules
A patient guide to knee MRI in Australia - what it detects (ACL, meniscus, cartilage), GP vs specialist referral rules, Medicare eligibility, cost, and what the scan is like.
6 min readWhat Is Radiology? Scans, Radiologists & Finding a Clinic
Radiology explained for patients - what a radiology clinic does, the difference between radiologists, radiographers and sonographers, referral rules, costs, and how to find a radiology clinic near you in Australia.
6 min readBreastScreen Victoria vs a Diagnostic Mammogram: Which Do You Need?
Understand the difference between free breast screening through BreastScreen Victoria and a diagnostic mammogram at a radiology clinic - and how to work out which path applies to you.
5 min readCT Angiogram (CTA): Cardiac CT, Calcium Scores & Cost
A patient guide to CT angiography in Australia - what a CTA shows, cardiac CT coronary angiograms vs calcium scores, preparation, Medicare coverage, and costs.
6 min readPregnancy Ultrasounds in Australia: Every Scan, Week by Week
A clear timeline of the ultrasounds you'll have during pregnancy in Australia - the dating scan, 12-week nuchal translucency scan, 20-week morphology scan, and third-trimester growth scans - with typical timing, costs, and referral requirements.
8 min readDating Scan (6-12 Weeks): What to Expect & Cost
Your first pregnancy ultrasound - what a dating scan shows, when to have it, how to prepare, whether you need a full bladder, and what it costs in Australia.
6 min read12-Week Scan (Nuchal Translucency): What to Expect & Cost
The nuchal translucency scan at 11-13 weeks explained - what it screens for, how combined first-trimester screening works, how NIPT fits in, and what it costs in Australia.
6 min readMorphology Scan (20 Weeks): What to Expect & Cost
The 20-week morphology scan explained - what the anatomy scan checks, how long it takes, whether you can find out your baby's sex, and what it costs in Australia.
6 min readGrowth Scans in Pregnancy: When They're Needed & Cost
Third-trimester growth and wellbeing ultrasounds explained - why your doctor might order one, what Doppler scans measure, and what growth scans cost in Australia.
5 min read6, 7 & 8 Week Ultrasound: Early Pregnancy Scans Explained
What an early pregnancy ultrasound at 6, 7, or 8 weeks can show, why your doctor might order one before the routine dating scan, transvaginal scans, preparation, and costs in Australia.
6 min readBulk Billed MRI in Melbourne: How to Find $0 Out-of-Pocket
Can you get a bulk billed MRI in Melbourne? How Medicare licensing works, who is eligible, and how to compare clinics that bulk bill MRI on Radly.
6 min readCan I Get an MRI Without a Referral in Australia?
Do you need a referral for an MRI in Australia? What happens without one, Medicare rules, GP vs specialist referrals, and how to book once you have a form.
6 min readHow Much Does an MRI Cost in Australia? (Ultrasound Too)
Typical MRI and ultrasound out-of-pocket costs in Australia with Medicare, when bulk billing applies, and how to compare clinics before you book.
7 min readBulk Billed Ultrasound in Melbourne: How to Pay $0
Where to find a bulk billing ultrasound near you in Melbourne - which scans are usually bulk billed, what you need for a Medicare rebate, and how to compare clinics on Radly.
6 min readBone Density Scan Cost in Australia | DEXA & Medicare
Understand DEXA scan fees, bulk billing and Medicare eligibility in Australia. Find bone density clinics near your suburb and book online.
4 min readMRI vs CT: A Clinical Decision Guide for GPsReferral Best Practices for GPs: Writing Imaging Referrals That WorkCommon Imaging Referral Mistakes - And How to Avoid ThemDigital Referrals Explained: How Electronic Imaging Referrals Work in AustraliaThe Business Case for Online Imaging BookingsWhy Patients Expect Digital Healthcare - And What It Means for Imaging ClinicsImproving Patient Experience at Your Imaging ClinicImaging Waitlist Management: How to Reduce Wait Times and Fill CancellationsAttracting New Imaging Referrals: A Growth Guide for Clinic ManagersGP-Referred MRI Under Medicare: What You Can and Can't RequestImaging for Low Back Pain: An Evidence-Based Guide for GPsPaediatric Imaging Referrals: A Guide for GPsContrast Safety for Referrers: Renal Function, Metformin and AllergyImaging in Pregnancy: A Referrer's GuideReducing Low-Value Imaging: Choosing Wisely in General PracticeUrgent vs Routine Imaging Referrals: Triage and TimeframesManaging Incidental Findings: A GP's Guide to IncidentalomasHelping Patients Afford Imaging: A Cost-Conversation Guide for GPsHow GPs Can Use Radly With Their PatientsGetting the Most From Your Radly Clinic ListingOnline Reviews for Radiology Practices: A Practical GuideReducing No-Shows and Late Cancellations at Your Imaging ClinicWhy Publishing Your Prices Wins You BookingsServing Multilingual Patients at Your Imaging ClinicLocal SEO for Imaging Clinics: Getting Found in Your SuburbBuilding Strong GP Referrer RelationshipsPatient Communication That Works for Imaging ClinicsThe KPIs Every Imaging Clinic Should TrackMaking Your Imaging Clinic Genuinely Accessible
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