Compare Scan Prices Before You Book: Radly's Price Transparency Tools

Two clinics a suburb apart can charge very different amounts for exactly the same scan. That's because private imaging clinics in Australia set their own fees - Medicare sets a schedule fee for each scan, but clinics are free to charge above it.

Several factors drive the differences:

• Equipment - newer machines and specialised scanners cost more to run • Medicare licensing - not all MRI machines are Medicare-licensed, which dramatically affects your rebate • Billing policy - some clinics bulk-bill everything, some bulk-bill only concession card holders, others charge a gap on every scan • Location and overheads - inner-city clinics often charge more than suburban or regional ones

The result: an MRI can cost you anywhere from $0 to several hundred dollars out of pocket depending on where you go. That variation is exactly why comparing before you book matters - and why Radly asks clinics to publish their prices. For the full pricing picture, see our guide on imaging costs in Australia.

When clinics publish pricing on Radly, you'll see up to three numbers for each scan. Here's what they mean:

• Full fee - the total amount the clinic charges for the scan • Medicare rebate - the amount Medicare pays back for that scan when you have a valid referral • Estimated out-of-pocket - the difference between the two: what actually leaves your wallet

For example, if a clinic's full fee for a scan is higher than the Medicare rebate, the difference is your gap payment. If the clinic bulk-bills, it accepts the Medicare rebate as full payment and your out-of-pocket cost is $0.

The out-of-pocket figure is the one that matters most for comparison - a clinic with a higher full fee isn't necessarily more expensive for you if the rebate structure differs. Remember that a valid referral is required for any Medicare rebate; without one, you pay the full fee.

Clinics on Radly can publish per-scan pricing on their profiles - the full fee, Medicare rebate, and estimated out-of-pocket cost for each scan they offer.

To find them quickly, use the "shows pricing upfront" filter in search. Switch it on and your results narrow to clinics that have published their prices, so you can see what you'd pay before you enquire - no calling to ask, no surprises at reception.

A couple of things to keep in mind:

• Published prices are for standard scans - extras like contrast dye, additional body regions, or after-hours appointments can change the final cost • A clinic without published pricing isn't necessarily expensive - some simply haven't listed fees yet. It just means you'll need to confirm the cost when they respond to your enquiry.

Either way, always confirm the final price with the clinic before your appointment, particularly for higher-cost scans like MRI.

Once you've shortlisted a few clinics, Radly's compare tool puts them side by side - two, three or four clinics in one table.

Crucially, the comparison is specific to the scan you searched for. If you searched for a knee MRI, you're comparing knee MRI prices - not generic clinic information. The table shows, for each clinic:

• Price for your specific scan - full fee, rebate, and estimated out-of-pocket where published • Bulk billing - whether the clinic bulk-bills that scan, and for whom • Concession cards accepted - pensioner, health care and DVA card arrangements • Opening hours - including evening and weekend sessions • Typical wait times - where available

Seeing everything in one view makes trade-offs obvious: a slightly dearer clinic with a same-week appointment might beat a cheaper one with a month-long wait. For a broader walkthrough of the tool, see our guide on comparing imaging clinics.

Even with published pricing, a quick confirmation protects you from surprises. When the clinic responds to your booking enquiry, it's worth asking:

• "What will my out-of-pocket cost be for this exact referral?" - the clinic can quote precisely once they've seen your referral details • "Does that include contrast, if it's needed?" - contrast dye can add to the cost of CT and MRI scans • "Do you bulk-bill concession card holders?" - many clinics have concession arrangements they don't always advertise (see our guide on concession cards and imaging) • "Do I pay on the day, and can I claim the rebate immediately?" - most clinics process Medicare claims on the spot, so you only pay the gap • "Is your MRI machine Medicare-licensed for my scan?" - this determines whether an MRI rebate applies at all

A reputable clinic will answer all of these happily. If pricing answers are vague, that's a reasonable signal to consider a clinic that's more transparent.

Bulk billing means the clinic bills Medicare directly and accepts the rebate as full payment - so you pay nothing. It's the gold standard for affordability, and it's common in Australian imaging, though not universal:

• X-rays - bulk billing is very common with a valid referral • Ultrasounds - commonly bulk-billed, especially pregnancy scans • CT scans - many clinics bulk-bill, particularly for concession card holders • MRI - bulk billing is less common and depends on Medicare licensing and the referral type

On Radly, bulk-billing clinics carry a badge in search results, and you can filter to show only clinics that bulk-bill your scan. Some clinics bulk-bill everyone; others bulk-bill only pensioners, health care card holders, or children - the clinic profile spells out who qualifies.

For the full picture, read our dedicated guide to bulk billing for medical imaging.