Patient Information
Medicare, Fees & Billing
In the majority of cases, we bulk bill to Medicare. However, please verify billing for your procedure with the clinic at which you have an appointment.
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.
What are the expenses for my procedure?
Direct Radiology is dedicated to making high-quality healthcare accessible to all. In line with this commitment, we have adopted a bulk billing approach for the majority of Medicare-rebatable items. This means most will not incur any out-of-pocket fees.
Our philosophy revolves around ensuring that financial considerations do not hinder access to essential healthcare services. By aligning our practices with bulk billing for Medicare rebatable items, we aim to remove financial barriers and make advanced imaging services widely available.
The decision to bulk bill reflects our unwavering dedication to providing equitable healthcare solutions. This approach not only emphasises affordability but also underscores our commitment to delivering high-quality diagnostic imaging services to our patients.
However, it’s important to note that certain imaging procedures may require a different approach. This is primarily due to the extended time and associated costs linked with these specific procedures. In such cases, there is a possibility that patients may incur an out-of-pocket fee for the following imaging items:
- MRI
- Obstetric Ultrasound
- Paediatric Ultrasound
- Mammography
- Interventional Radiology
- Pelvic Ultrasound
- Breast Ultrasound
Fees & Biling
Our commitment to transparency is a cornerstone of our service philosophy at Direct Radiology. We make it a priority to communicate any potential fees well in advance, ensuring that our patients are fully informed about the financial aspects of their medical imaging services.
Useful Links:
If you still need more information, you may find these links useful.