Billing Policy

Healthscope Pathology strives to provide a comprehensive, high quality pathology service for our Doctors and patients. To maintain such a quality service we endeavour to provide a fee structure that is fair and reasonable. Our out-of-pocket fees will be kept at a minimum with a maximum out of pocket charge of $155 for all tests covered by Medicare*. There are many different patient and fee classifications that Medicare Australia controls and here is a brief summary of some of these:

Bulk Billing

Healthscope Pathology will Bulk Bill

All Pensioners
Healthcare Cardholders
Veterans Affairs Gold Cardholders

Private Patient Accounts

Private Patients will receive an account from Healthscope Pathology. These fees are aligned to Australian Medical Association (AMA) recommended rates.

Medicare Safety Net

Remember to register your family with Medicare Australia so that you are eligible for benefits under the revised “Safety Net.” Please refer to the Medicare Australia website at www.medicareaustralia.gov.au for your eligibility and entitlements.

Veteran Affairs Gold Cardholders

Please present your current Veteran Affairs Gold card to our collection staff and then Healthscope Pathology will bill the Department of Veteran Affairs directly. You will also need to sign the request form.

WorkCover, Transport Accident Commission & Insurance claims

If your referral relates to a WorkCover, Transport Accident Commission or Insurance claim, then your account will be sent directly to those organizations. You will need to provide your Claim number at every visit.

Pre-Employment, Immigration, Health screening, Travel, Overseas Students

Testing for these groups are not eligible for Medicare rebates and an up front payment is required. Overseas students will also need to pay up front and then claim back from their Health Insurance company.

Private Hospital Inpatients

Healthscope Pathology has “no gap” agreements with all major Health Funds. Where there is an agreement in place; your Health Fund will be billed directly. Our Collection staff will ask for your fund details when they collect your sample. If there is no agreement with your Health Fund then Healthscope Pathology will issue you with an account.
Uninsured Inpatients will receive an account from Healthscope Pathology. Healthscope Pathology is committed to keeping these “out of pocket” payments to a minimum.

How Do I Pay My Account

Healthscope Pathology will send you an account upon completion of the tests. The following options are set out on your account: -

Pay your account in full;
Claim from Medicare Australia then forward the Medicare cheque with the additional outstanding payment to Healthscope Pathology.

Payment Methods

Mail: Cheque, money order, credit card with completed advice detachment to: -

Bpay: Biller Code 160812 Ref no (Please refer to tear-off bottom slip)
Telephone: Call 1300 369 762, have your credit card details ready (Visa or Mastercard)
In person: Cash, cheque or money order presented at any Healthscope Pathology collection centre (ring 1300 369 762 for your nearest centre). Please provide the exact amount for cash payment. For cash or money order payments a receipt will be provided by our collection centre staff to enable you to claim from Medicare. For all other payments a receipt will be sent in the mail once the funds have cleared
Via our internet site www.healthscope.com.au by clicking on the Online Payment Service link (https://www.optussmartpay.com/GGP/)

ACCOUNT ENQUIRES

If you have any enquires about your account please do not hesitate to call our Accounts Department (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm) who will be happy to discuss your enquiry.

Telephone: 1 300 369 762

Note: Information correct as of 1st December 2009 but subject to change without notice.