Medical Imaging & Pathology

Requests, not referrals

A request for imaging or pathology is a different thing to a specialist referral, and importantly it does not expire the way a specialist referral does — a request remains valid until the test is actually performed, with no 12-month or 3-month clock running on it. That means you can hold onto a pathology or imaging request and use it whenever suits, rather than needing to act within a set window.

Cost and bulk billing

Most standard blood tests and X-rays are bulk billed by many providers, meaning no out-of-pocket cost with a valid Medicare card and request. CT and especially MRI scans are a different story: MRI rebates depend on specific eligibility criteria tied to the body part being scanned, the clinical reason, and sometimes the specialty of the referring practitioner — a scan that doesn’t meet the criteria attracts no rebate at all and can be several hundred dollars out of pocket. Ask the imaging provider directly, before the scan, whether your specific request is likely to be rebated.

Choosing a provider

You can generally choose which imaging or pathology provider performs a requested test — the request itself isn’t tied to a specific practice unless your doctor has a preferred provider they work closely with. It is reasonable to ask your GP or specialist whether a particular provider matters for this test, and to choose based on convenience, bulk-billing policy, or wait time otherwise.

What to bring

Bring the physical or digital request form, your Medicare card, and — for a follow-up scan comparing to a previous one — details of when and where the earlier scan was done, so the new provider can request the old images for comparison. For blood tests, some require fasting; check the request form or ask the collection centre in advance.

Questions worth asking

• Will this specific test be bulk billed, or is there an out-of-pocket cost?
• How long will results take, and how will I get them?
• Do I need to fast or prepare in any other way beforehand?
• Should I use a specific provider, or does it not matter for this test?
• Who will explain the results to me — the requesting doctor, or someone else?