A planning session simulating radiation treatment for cancer (Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT)). A CT scan will be taken and a specialised dye may be injected (intravenous contrast medium).
If you are bulk billed for a medical service you will have no out-of-pocket costs. The GP or specialist bills Medicare and accepts the Medicare benefit as full payment for the service.
Non-bulk billing patient:
GPs and specialists can set a fee for the service that is higher than the Medicare benefit. In this case you may have out-of-pocket costs. This is the difference between the service fee and the Medicare benefit.
Typical costs
In 2023-24
For patients who had a MBS item 15555 in a private setting across all of Australia, 24% had an out-of-pocket cost. Of those:
Patients typically paid
$1,261
$1,946Typical fees
$683
Medicare paid
$1,261
Patients typically paid
Range of cost experiences
Percent of patients who paid in 2023-24
76% of patients had no out-of-pocket costs
24% of patients had out-of-pocket costs
Low, typical, and high out-of-pocket costs
Of the 24% of people who had an out-of-pocket cost in 2023-24, the typical cost was calculated as follows:
High
$2,602
Typical
$1,261
Low
$99
Fees and costs by state and territory
The table below shows the following by state and territory:
Percent of patients who paid no out-of-pocket cost. The specialist’s fees were paid by Medicare and private health insurance.
How much specialists typically charged for this service, when there was an out-of-pocket cost for the patient.
How much patients typically paid if they had an out-of-pocket cost.
Some states or territories may show a dash as there is insufficient data.
This information is for all services using this MBS item by all specialties in 2023-24.
NSW
Vic
Qld
WA
SA
Tas
ACT
NT
% with no out-of-pocket costs
77%
77%
71%
81%
69%
-
-
-
Typical specialists’ fees
$1,606
$1,946
$3,231
$1,606
$1,606
-
-
-
Patients typically paid
$921
$1,261
$2,548
$923
$923
-
-
-
Explanation of fees and costs
What the fees and costs shown include
The fees and costs show typical fees for an individual service. They are based on data from 2023-24.
Each service is linked to a number listed on the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS), called an MBS item. Patients may have other MBS items as well, as multiple services may occur in a setting. The
Medicare benefit
amount
(opens in new tab)
has been rounded to the nearest dollar.
Talk to your GP or specialist to find out:
If you may need a referral to a medical specialist.
What specific tests or treatments you will need. This might include diagnostic imaging or pathology services.
What other specialists may be involved in your service, and their fees.
We show local data by
Primary Health
Network
(opens in new tab)
if a person or provider can’t be identified. Otherwise, we will show information at higher level, by aggregating the data. The data might then be at a state and territory level, or across Australia. See our disclaimer for more information.
What the fees and costs shown don’t include
Aftercare costs.
Costs associated with pharmaceuticals and other incidentals.
MBS item(s) for this procedure
MBS item number(s) that may be the main treatment for a MBS item 15555.
MBS Item undefined
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Talk to your GP
Ask your GP about your likely patient journey and referral options. If treatment costs are a concern, you may have options like public hospital care.
Before seeing your GP, find out about their fees and costs. GPs may bulk bill all or some of their patients. Contact their medical centre to find out more.
