How Much Do Medical Scans Cost in Australia?

Medical imaging costs in Australia depend on three things:

1. The type of scan - X-rays are cheapest, MRI is most expensive 2. Whether you have a valid referral - this determines your Medicare eligibility 3. The clinic - some bulk-bill (free to you), others charge a gap fee

With a valid referral, Medicare covers a percentage of the scan cost. Some clinics accept this as full payment (bulk billing), while others charge you the difference (gap fee). Without a referral, you pay the full amount.

Approximate out-of-pocket costs with a valid Medicare referral:

• X-ray: $0-$50 (frequently bulk-billed) • Ultrasound: $0-$100 (often bulk-billed, especially for pregnancy) • CT scan: $0-$200 (commonly bulk-billed for concession holders) • Mammogram: $0 (free through BreastScreen; $0-$80 for diagnostic) • DEXA scan: $0-$50 (if Medicare-eligible) or $80-$200 (if not) • MRI: $0-$300+ (Medicare coverage is more limited; depends on clinic licensing) • PET scan: $0-$400+ (usually specialist-referred; Medicare criteria apply)

These are estimates and vary between clinics and states. Use Radly to compare actual prices near you.

Bulk billing means the clinic accepts the Medicare rebate as full payment - you pay nothing out of pocket.

Bulk billing availability depends on:

• The type of scan - X-rays and ultrasounds are most commonly bulk-billed • Your Medicare status - concession card holders (pensioner, healthcare card) are more likely to be bulk-billed • The clinic - some clinics bulk-bill everyone, others only concession holders, and some don't bulk-bill at all

When searching on Radly, look for clinics that offer bulk billing for your scan type.

MRI has unique Medicare rules in Australia. Not all MRI machines are Medicare-licensed - only scans performed on licensed machines with eligible referrals attract a Medicare rebate.

To get a Medicare rebate on an MRI, you generally need:

• A scan performed on a Medicare-licensed MRI machine • A referral from a specialist (for most body parts) - GP referrals for MRI have limited Medicare items • The scan to meet specific clinical criteria (not all MRI indications are covered)

If you have an MRI at a non-licensed machine or without meeting the criteria, you'll pay the full cost. This can be $400-$800+.

Ask your doctor whether your MRI referral is likely to attract a Medicare rebate, and use Radly to find Medicare-licensed MRI clinics.

Private health insurance generally does not cover outpatient imaging (scans done at a radiology clinic). It may cover imaging performed during a hospital admission as part of your hospital cover.

Some extras policies offer small rebates for selected imaging, but this is uncommon and usually limited.

For most Australians, Medicare is the primary source of imaging cost coverage. Private health insurance is more relevant if you're having surgery or being admitted to hospital.

• Always get a referral before your scan - even if you think you know what you need, a referral unlocks Medicare rebates • Ask your doctor if the scan can be bulk-billed somewhere - they may know which clinics in your area bulk-bill • Compare clinics on Radly - prices for the same scan can vary by hundreds of dollars between clinics in the same suburb • Ask the clinic about costs upfront - they must give you a quote before the scan • Check if you're eligible for a concession - healthcare card holders get bulk billing at many clinics • Consider location - clinics in outer suburbs and regional areas are often cheaper than CBD clinics