Account Information FAQs
- Why did I receive a pathology account?
- How much will my pathology test(s) cost?
- What is your out patient (non-hospital) billing policy?
- What is your in patient (in-hospital) billing policy?
- What tests do not attract a Medicare rebate?
- What services do not attract a Medicare rebate?
- How can the Medicare 'Safety Net' initiative help me?
- I have lost my receipt, can I get another?
- I have received my bill. Can you please give me further information on my results and the tests that were performed?
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Q: Why did I receive a pathology account?
A: QML Pathology is a private pathology provider and as such will bill for the pathology tests your doctor has requested. These tests may have been collected while you were in hospital, at the doctor's surgery or at one of our collection centres. -
Q: How much will my pathology test(s) cost?
A: Unfortunately due to the complexity of the testing process and the Medicare schedule, we are unable to give you an accurate cost of your tests until they have been completed. What we can advise is that under certain conditions QML Pathology will bulk bill, and in cases where you are not bulk billed and are sent an invoice, Medicare cardholders will not be out of pocket any more than $88.00 for out patient (non-hospital) or $500.00 for in patient (in hospital) Medicare rebatable tests. -
Q: What is your out patient (non-hospital) billing policy?
A: Please see below for out patient (non-hospital) billing information:
Out Patient Veterans' Affairs Gold Cardholder
If you are the holder of a Veterans' Affairs Gold Card your account will be billed directly to the Department of Veterans' Affairs.
Out Patient
QML Pathology is a private pathology provider and as such will bill for the pathology tests that your doctor has requested. We would like to be able to give you an estimate of the potential total costs of any pathology tests that your doctor has ordered; unfortunately, this is not possible as the total cost varies depending on the frequency, volume and complexity of the pathology tests ordered by your doctor. However, we can advise that QML Pathology’s private fees are capped to ensure that Medicare cardholders will not be out-of-pocket more than $88.00 per account for all tests eligible for a Medicare rebate.
You will be pleased to know that Medicare may provide you with a rebate towards the total cost of your pathology bill. As with any Medicare claim, once you have paid the account, send or take your receipt or invoice to Medicare to claim for a rebate. You should be aware that there are a number of tests and services provided by QML Pathology that do not qualify for a Medicare refund and will incur a charge.
Please feel free to contact QML Pathology or Medicare for more information about whether you may qualify for a refund. -
Q: What is your in patient (in-hospital) billing policy?
A: Please see below for in patient (in-hospital) billing information:
In Patient Veterans' Affairs Gold Cardholder
If you are the holder of a Veterans' Affairs Gold Card your account will be billed directly to the Department of Veterans' Affairs for payment. You will not incur out of pocket expenses.
In Patient
QML Pathology is a private pathology provider and as such will bill for the pathology tests that your doctor has requested. We would like to be able to give you an estimate of the potential total costs of any pathology tests that your doctor has ordered; unfortunately, this is not possible as the total cost depends on the type and number of tests ordered during your stay in hospital. However, we can advise that QML Pathology’s private fees are capped to ensure that Medicare cardholders will not be out of pocket more than $500.00 for all tests eligible for a Medicare rebate for the duration of their hospitalisation.
If you have private health insurance you will be pleased to know that your health fund may provide you with a rebate towards the total cost of your pathology bill. Where possible QML Pathology will directly bill your health fund, however, there are a number of health funds that we cannot bill directly, and in this instance your will receive an account for all of your pathology tests performed over the length of your hospital stay.
As with any private health insurance claim, once your have paid the account, send or take your receipt or invoice to your health fund to claim for a rebate. You should be aware that there are a number of tests and services provided by QML Pathology that do not qualify for a private health fund refund and will incur a charge. Please feel free to contact QML Pathology or your private insurer for more information about whether you may qualify for a health fund refund.
If you would like to get an update on the total cost of your tests during your hospital stay please contact our Accounts Department on 1800 350 046.
Further information can be obtained by downloading our Pathology and the Medicare Safety Net brochure or visiting the Medicare Australia website. -
Q: What tests do not attract a Medicare rebate?
A: Some pathology tests are not eligible for a Medicare rebate and will incur a charge. Some of the more common tests in this category include ThinPrep, FISH and DNA. In addition to this, other tests such as HPV and Thrombotic Assays are only rebatable when certain medical criteria are met. If you are concerned in regards to charges associated with a test, please discuss with your doctor at the time of consultation. Alternatively, please contact our Accounts Department on 1800 350 046 for further clarification. -
Q: What services do not attract a Medicare rebate?
A: Some pathology services are not eligible for a Medicare rebate and will incur a charge. Some of the more common services in this category include Home Collection Visits and Warfarin Dosing (controlled by QML Pathology). -
Q: How can the Medicare 'Safety Net' initiative help me?
A: If you need to see a doctor of have pathology tests regularly, you could end up with high medical costs. The Medicare Safety Net is designed to help you when you need it most. It means that once you reach a Medicare Safety Net threshold (within a calendar year) your out-of-pocket expenses may be reduced. The Medicare Safety Net covers a range of medical services that you receive out of hospital.
Further information can be obtained by downloading our Pathology and the Medicare Safety Net brochure or visiting the Medicare Australia website. -
Q: I have lost my receipt, can I get another?
A: To obtain a receipt please contact our Accounts Department for assistance on 1800 350 046. -
Q: I have received my bill. Can you please give me further information on my results and the tests that were performed?
A: Due to privacy legislation, we do not have the authority to give information other than what is outlined on your account. For clarification on testing and your results, please speak directly with your doctor.
