PATIENT INFORMATION
Pathology Testing
PATHOLOGY TESTING IS VITAL TO YOUR HEALTHCARE
| Test Name | Tube |
|---|---|
| Blood Bank | This is a specialised branch of haematology to identify and study blood groups using antigen-antibody reactions. It is also responsible in determining the compatibility of donor blood prior to transfusion. |
| Clinical Biochemistry |
Sample analysis of blood, cells and other body fluids for their chemical, biochemical and hormonal components is undertaken in the Clinical Biochemistry Department. Samples of serum, plasma or urine are analysed for levels of specific chemicals/analytes, and the results are compared against known reference ranges from healthy individuals. An increase or decrease in a specific analyte/chemical/component that is measured may help in identifying a disease process. Some of the more commonly known tests performed in this area include blood sugar(glucose) and lipids/fats (cholesterol) analysis. Combinations of various tests can assess functionality and disease/health status of specific organ parts in the body such as kidney, liver and heart. Specialised test assays can measure specific hormones levels in the blood stream that may assist clinicians in pregnancy, thyroid function investigations. The department also conducts Toxicology assays, a specialised sub-set of Biochemistry, involving the measurement of drugs and toxins in body fluids, such as determining blood levels for alcohol, barbiturates and therapeutic drugs. |
| Haematology |
Haematology is primarily concerned in studying the various components in the blood stream and the blood forming tissues, and quantitative analysis is undertaken to measure the number of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets that are present in a sample of whole blood. Stained slides of blood are examined to qualitatively assess clinical conditions, such as in the appearance of red blood cells when investigating anaemia. Similarly, examination of the white blood cells may assist in the investigation and diagnosis of infections and leukaemia. The smallest cellular fragments in the blood stream are platelets, and these are vital to the process of blood clot formation and prevention of bleeding. In addition, levels of various proteins that interact for blood clots to occur can also be determined, and these tests are useful in the diagnosis and management of patients with defects in their blood clotting system, and monitoring of patients receiving anti-coagulant therapy. |
| Histopathology |
Histopathology This is a highly specialised area of pathology where samples of tissue, organs and other parts of the body are examined in order to establish the presence or absence of disease, most notably cancer. Histopathology is a science where the morphology(shape and pattern) of cells and tissues is examined to determine the presence or absence of specific diseases, especially various types of cancer. There are many techniques that scientists use when examining tissue types, such as light microscopy, or for more advanced types of cancer use of electron microscopy or computerised image analysis, where very thin sections of tissue have been cut, mounted on glass slides and stained with specific stains(dyes) so that they can be visualised under the microscope and various tissue structures to be examined in more detail. Histopathology is also responsible for the examination of samples originating from an autopsy, and thus can assist or provide information in establishing probable cause of death. |
| Immunology |
The term immunity is associated with the various protective mechanisms in the body that help prevent or protect against infectious diseases or other biological disorders. The immune system plays a significant role in removing damager or mutant cells from the body. Tests performed by the immunology department allow our scientists to determine the immune response of individuals to specific diseases under investigation, including disorders that may be effective the function of the immune system itself. Some well knows immune-deficient diseases include AIDS, and those attribute to either over-activity or uncontrolled immune functions such as multiple myeloma or rheumatoid arthritis. In certain tests, the clinician wants to know if the patient is protected against specific diseases, and these tests can demonstrate an immune response by measuring specific antibodies to disease such as hepatitis. There are certain clinical conditions where the causative microbial agent can not be cultured in the laboratory, and its presence may be detected immunologically by measuring either circulating microbial antigens in the blood stream, or by the measurement of specific circulating antibodies in the patient’s blood. |
| Microbiology |
The study of infectious diseases and the causative agents is called Microbiology. A variety of patient samples are collected such as urine, faeces, swabs, sputum, tissue and other body fluids, and bacteria are grown on special media to allow diagnosis. Tests for viral growth are more specialised and require special cell cultures for diagnosis. In conjunction with the culture methods, additional procedures such as microscopy and serum testing are used to determine and identify specific types of bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites that are known to cause disease. Given that microbes are all around us, it is paramount that microbiology laboratory areas are clean as possible and separate from other areas of the laboratory, to avoid contamination of sample testing and false results that may delay diagnosis and/or treatment. |
| Molecular Biology |
With recent advances in technology, Molecular Biology is responsible for the study of cellular functions based on the analysis of the genetic information (DNA) contained within our cells. Molecular Scientists are concerned in determining how genetic information is expressed and may affect the expression of genes that may lead to disease or metabolic abnormalities. The scientific advances in understanding the human genome and how genes are expressed are exponential, and molecular biological techniques will soon become the gold-standard in routine diagnostic testing and disease diagnosis. |
Non-Medicare Tests Price List
Please note that not all tests are covered by the Medicare Rebate. There are a number of rules and conditions stipulated by Medicare that govern what tests are covered and those that are not by Medicare Rebate.
When your doctor requests a pathology test that is not covered by Medicare, you will either be asked to make an upfront payment or you will billed privately and receive an itemised invoiced that you are required to pay by the due date shown on the invoice. In addition, there are tests that have been performed by a laboratory other than Austech Medical Laboratories, and you may receive an invoice from that Pathology Service that must be paid separately to any invoices that may be issued by Austech Medical Laboratories as well.
Any tests that are listed on the Non-Medicare Rebatable Tests list will require payment on the day prior to sample collection.
Maximum Schedule Billing
There are additional rules on the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) that restrict the number of times a test will be eligible for Medicare Rebatable, irrespective of which pathology laboratory has performed that test. For example, some tests will be privately bulled directly to the patient when the maximum number of rebatable tests per year is exceeded, or where relevant clinical history has not been provided/specified on the pathology request form.
Please refer to: https://austechlabs.com.au/clinician/medicare-requirements
Examples: Hepatitis C Virus – Maximum 1 test in a 12-month period
Vitamin D – Relevant clinical history is required
Please also refer to the MBS Schedule for rebate eligibility criteria, or visit: www.mbsonline.gov.au
CONSENT
The testing laboratory requires your written agreement of test payment prior to test analysis.
| Test Name | Price* (Non-MBS) |
|---|---|
| Aldosterone | $48.07 |
| Anti-Mullerian Hormone | $60.50 |
| Apolipoprotein A1 | $46.80 |
| Apolipoprotein B | $46.80 |
| Bile Acids (only covered under Medicare if patient is pregnant) | $43.50 |
| Calcitonin | $33.55 |
| Calculus | $46.16 |
| Carbohydrate deficient transferrin (CDT) | $310.31 |
| CFTR Gene Sequencing | $121.00 |
| Calprotectin – Faeces | $150.05 |
| Chromogranin A | $69.02 |
| Copeptin/Vasopressin | $55.00 |
| Chromosome Microarray | $434.01 |
| Diphtheria serology | $33.00 |
| Elastase | $67.50 |
| Faecal reducing substances | $103.40 |
| Familial Mediterranean Fever | $400.00 |
| HE 4/ROMA | $58.50 |
| Hepatitis C PCR (once per year only covered under Medicare) | $180.35 |
| "IGF BP3 (IGF Binding Protein 3, Insulin Like Growth Factor binding protein 3)" | $52.10 |
| Lactose Tolerance Test (Reducing substances) | $103.40 |
| Leptin | $55.70 |
| Lipoprotein A | $46.80 |
| Lipoprotein B | $46.80 |
| MUSK Antibodies (Muscle specific tyrosine kinase autoantibodies) | $77.00 |
| Mycoplasma pneumoniae Antibodies | $33.00 |
| Pneumococcal serology | $33.00 |
| Pro-BNP | $87.00 |
| Reverse T3 | $71.56 |
| TB – QuantiFERON Gold (work purposes/job assessment is NOT covered by Medicare) | $79.48 |
| Tetanus serology | $33.00 |
| Vitamin K | $57.36 |
* Price list current as of the time of publishing; prices subject to change without prior notice.
Please note list of tests is those that are commonly requested by Austech’s referring doctors.
Please contact our Admin department if you have any queries related to tests offered and pricing.
Non-Medicare Rebatable Tests
Please note that not all pathology tests are covered by the Medicare Rebate. There are a number of rules and conditions stipulated by Medicare that govern what tests are covered and those that are not by Medicare Rebate.
When your doctor requests a pathology test that is not covered by Medicare, you will either be asked to make an upfront test payment or you will be billed privately and receive a separate, itemised invoice. There are tests that are performed by a laboratory other than Austech Medical Laboratories, and you may receive an invoice from that Pathology Service which must be paid separately to any invoices that may be issued by Austech Medical Laboratories as well.
Any tests that are listed on the Non-Medicare Rebatable Tests list will require payment on the day prior to sample collection.
Maximum Schedule Billing
There are rules on the MBS schedule that restrict the number of times a test will be eligible for Medicare Rebate, irrespective of which pathology laboratory has performed that test. For example, some tests will be privately billed directly to the patient when the maximum number of rebatable tests per year is exceeded, or where relevant clinical history is not provided as required.
Examples:
| Hepatits C virus (HCV) genotype |
1. The patient is HCV RNA positive and is being evaluated for antiviral therapy of chronic HCV hepatitis; and
2. The request for the test is made by, or on the advice of, the specialist or consultant physician managing the treatment of the patient
Maximum of 1 test in a 12-month period |
As per Medicare Benefits Schedule, the quantification of vitamin D in serum is for the investigation of a patient who:
|
Patients will be asked to read and sign the attached signed consent form prior to sample collection and payment as required/instructed in order for the test analysis to be undertaken and results reported to the requesting doctor.
Patient Information
Austech Medical Laboratories is a leading privately-owned healthcare company, with a reputation for excellence and customer satisfaction in the medical laboratory and pathology business. Established in 1998, Austech has serviced the healthcare sector, providing a full range of pathology and medical diagnostic services to general practitioners, medical specialists, medical centres, aged-care facilities and day surgeries in NSW and most recently, on Queensland’s Gold Coast.
The laboratory is NATA/RCPA Accredited for compliance to ISO15189 and its range of testing covers all major pathology disciplines.
| ✓ Diagnostic Testing | ✓ Central laboratory on 24 hours/day | ✓ Electronic and hard-copy reporting |
| ✓ Hospital Laboratory Services | ✓ NATA and RCPA certified | ✓ Home visit service |
| ✓ Occupational testing | ✓ Rapid collection & Courier Services | ✓ Client Liaison & Area Managers |
| ✓ Clinical Consultative Services | ✓ Round-the-clock call centre help | ✓ Medical Supplies Service |
Pathology Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
| Does Austech Accept All Pathology Request Forms? | YES, we will accept all pathology request forms from all providers. |
| Does Austech Accept All Pathology Request Forms? | YES, we will accept all pathology request forms from all providers. |
| Do I need to bring anything to my pathology test? | Please ensure you bring your pathology request form, identification (e.g. driver’s licence, passport) and Medicare card. |
| Will I be charged for my pathology tests? |
MEDICARE BULK BILLING
✓ Pensioner Card, Healthcare Card, Veteran Affairs card holders, children under the age of 18 and adults over the age of 80 are eligible for Bulk-billing, and the account information will be send directly to Medicare by Austech Medical Laboratories. PLEASE NOTE: In order for us to bulk-bill directly with Medicare, we require your written authorisation (Signature and your valid Medicare Number). In the event that we do not receive your written approval, we are legally obliged to issue the invoice directly to you. Our pathology request forms are designed so that your authority can be provided on the pathology request form. PRIVATE BILLING ✓ Patients that do not meet the bulk-billing criteria will be privately and will receive an invoice from Austech Medical Laboratories that must be paid within the period specified on the invoice. This may be due to a number of reasons, such as that the tests requested by your doctor are not eligible for Medicare bulk-billing, or only a certain number of tests are allowed per year, or the tests was not conducted in our laboratory as it had to be referred to an external specialist referral laboratory. |
| HOW SHOULD I PREPARE FOR TESTING? | Unless you have been issued with specific test instructions, drink plenty of fluids as this allows for easier collection of blood samples from your veins when you are well hydrated. Relax and stay calm. |
| SHOULD I BE FASTING BEFORE MY TEST? |
Only some tests require fasting before blood collection, and your doctor will notify you accordingly. Typically fasting should not require longer than 12 hours.
When instructed to fast prior to pathology blood sample collection, do not consume any foods or drinks (except water), as nutrients consumed may affect the test parameters and thus provide incorrect results, for example cholesterol levels. |
| WILL I NEED TO STOP MY MEDICATIONS? | Typically you can continue to take your medications, however this will depend on the type of pathology test(s) to be performed. Please consult with your doctor before stopping any medication, as they will advise you on appropriate steps. |
| HOW LONG WILL MY TESTS TAKE BEFORE RESULTS ARE READY? | Most routine blood test results are typically returned to your doctor within a couple of days. However, certain tests may require a longer period. Please speak with your doctor for more information regarding test follow-up periods and results availability. |
| WHAT TESTS/SERVICES WILL NEVER ATTRACT OR BE ELIGIBLE FOR MEDICARE BULK-BILLING? |
Not all tests are eligible for the Medicare Rebate and these tests must be paid in full. Please refer to our list of Non-Rebatable Tests for the most common tests in this category.
Alternatively, you may search for the full list of tests on the Medicare Benefits Schedule website at the following link: MBS Online - MBS Online |
| WHAT IF I HAVE A GOLD VETERAN AFFAIRS CARD? |
If you are a Veteran Affairs Gold cardholder, you will not incur out-of-pocket expenses for any pathology tests undertaken by Austech Medical Laboratories. We will bill your tests directly to the Department of Veteran Affairs for payment.
We will also cover the cost of tests that may have exceeded the maximum allowable limits in a specific period as per the current MBS Schedue. |
| HOW DO I PAY FOR MY PATHOLOGY BILL? |
Currently you can settle your pathology account via payment over the phone using a current Credit Card, via cheque or cash payment. Once payment is processed, you will be issued with an itemised invoice and receipt that you can send to Medicare or your private health insurer; you may receive a cash rebate based on your specific eligibility and circumstances.
For more information regarding your account or to make a payment over the phone, please phone 1300 265 000, or email us at: accounts@austechlabs.com.au |
| I HAD THIS TEST BEFORE AND IT WAS BULK-BILLED – WHY AM I BEING CHARGED THIS TIME? |
Please note that the rules governing the eligibility criteria for Medicare Rebates are governed and set by the Department of Health and stipulated in the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) documents. The MBS stipulates the fee for the tests and a description of the test performed and payable under the listed MBS item.
In addition, MBS rules govern and apply limits as to how many times they will pay for a specific test performed in a given time frame. For example, Vitamin B12 will be paid ONLY ONCE in a 12 month period, irrespective of which pathology provider you have visited for the performance of the Vitamin B12 test. Exemptions may be applied if you are an Aged Pensioner Card (Commonwealth Senior’s Health Card), DVA Gold Cardholder. For more information, visit the Department of Health at: Pathology | Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care |
| HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR MY CREDIT CARD PAYMENT TO BE PROCESSED? | Typically credit card transactions may take 1-3 business days to process and settle into our bank account. Once we have received the funds, we will process the payment against your bill and send you an itemised invoice and receipt for your records, that you can use for claiming purposes. |
| BUT WHY DOES IT TAKE UP TO 3 DAYS FOR THE MONEY TO TRANSFER? | The receiving banks often take 2-4 days for funds to be released to the customer as they are following what typically is referred to as the “three-day good fund model”, which basically means that they may hold the funds for three days to ensure it is not a fraudulent transaction. |
