Who can give you a referral for an x-ray or scan?
Only GP’s, specialists, dentists, nurse practitioners and allied health professionals (AHP) like physiotherapists, chiropractors and podiatrists who are listed as an ‘authorised person’ can provide a referral for an x-ray or scan. The Radiation Safety Regulation 2021 defines who an ‘authorised person’ is in relation to specific diagnostic procedures.
Medicare benefits:
Under Medicare rules, you can only access subsidised diagnostic imaging if you have a referral from a GP, specialist or AHP. This ensures that the imaging is appropriate for your health condition and that the results are reviewed in the context of your medical history.
Ahpra:
The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) ensures that registered health practitioners in Australia are appropriately trained and qualified to practise. Including the ruling that radiologists and imaging providers can only performed diagnostic imaging when requested by a registered medical practitioner.
How you benefit from a referral
Seeing your GP, specialist or AHP means their clinical expertise is applied to your health matters. This ensures that all relevant information is taken into consideration to diagnose your condition or rule out any concerns.
- The right test for your symptoms: Your medical history will be taken into consideration, and your health professional can then recommend the most useful test(s) for you. For example, getting an ultrasound may be more useful than getting an x-ray in some cases, or an MRI may give more detailed information about certain body structures than a CT scan in certain cases.
- The correct area: Depending on your symptoms, your healthcare professional may only need one area to be scanned, but in other cases, they may require multiple areas to be imaged to get a clear diagnosis.
- Minimise radiation exposure: X-rays and CT scans use very low doses of radiation, but it is still important to limit your exposure. Referrals ensure that imaging is only done when necessary.
- Coordinated care: Once your scan is completed, your images are analysed by our specialist Radiologists and a report prepared in the following days. This report and your images will then be provided to your referring clinician. At your follow up visit, your clinician can put the results into context and plan the next steps if more treatment or tests are needed.
- Peace of mind: Referrals mean you can have confidence that your care is tailored for your individual circumstances and that your health and safety is prioritised.
How does a referral for an x-ray or scan affect the cost?
The cost of your diagnostic imaging procedure will depend on what your health professional has requested. Some procedures may be fully covered by Medicare (Bulk Billed), others may be partially covered and need an out of pocket (gap) payment, and some procedures may not be covered by Medicare at all.Each referral is different which is why we can only advise you about the costs once we have received your referral form.
When you speak to our Booking Team, they will look up the Medicare item number linked to the service you have been referred for. This item number has a specific, published rebate. Medicare rebates are determined by the Australian Government through the Department of Health and Aged Care in consultation with various expert advisory bodies.
Does Imaging Queensland accept all referrals?
Yes, you can use any referral form to book an x-ray or scan at our conveniently located Imaging Queensland clinics. It doesn’t matter whether it’s printed on a Imaging Queensland referral form or another template provided by your healthcare provider.
