How do patients pay their accounts?
Clinical Labs sends patients an account upon completion of a test. The following payment options are set out on the account:
- Pay the account in full, and an official receipt will be forwarded to the patient. The patient will need the receipt and invoice to claim a rebate from Medicare if eligible.
- Clinical Labs can directly submit a claim to the Department of Human Services. The Department of Human Services will then send the patient a cheque, which they will need to forward to us with any additional outstanding payment. Please forward cheques to: GPO Box 4971, Melbourne Vic 3001.
Payment methods available:
BPAY:
Please refer to tear-off slip at the bottom of your invoice for our biller code and reference number.
Telephone:
Call 1300 369 762 and have your credit card details ready (Visa or Mastercard only).
Website:
Access our Online Payment Service.
Bulk Billing
Clinical Labs may be able to bulk bill the following:
- Pensioners
- Healthcare Cardholders
- Veterans Affairs Gold Cardholders
*Some tests and conditions apply. Seniors Card and Commonwealth Seniors Health Cardholders are not eligible.
Outpatient Accounts
Outpatients will receive an account from Clinical Labs. These fees are aligned with the Australian Medical Association (AMA) recommended rates. In some circumstances, a 'co-payment' applies; this means that the Department of Human Services does not cover the entire invoice amount, and patients need to pay the difference.
Clinical Labs can lodge a claim to the Department of Human Services on a patient's behalf. Once the claim has been submitted to the Department of Human Services, they will assess it and send the patient a cheque for benefits payable.
To check eligibility for this, please contact our customer service team on 1300 369 762.
WorkCover, Transport Accident Commission, and Insurance Claims
If the referral is related to a WorkCover, Transport Accident Commission, or insurance claim, then an account can be sent directly to those organisations. Patients will need to provide their claim number at every visit.
Pre-Employment, Immigration, Health Screening, Travel & Overseas Visitors
Testing for these groups are not eligible for Medicare rebates, and upfront payment is required. Insured overseas visitors will also need to pay upfront and then claim back from their insurance company.
Overseas Students
If patients hold a current student insurance with Medibank Private, Allianz Global Assistance, AHM, or BUPA, we may be able to directly bill the insurer. If we are unable to directly bill the insurer, then upfront payment is required.
Private Hospital & Day Procedures Inpatients
Clinical Labs is committed to minimising "out of pocket" expenses to hospital and day procedure inpatients. Clinical Labs has "no gap" agreements in place with most major health funds; however, for those patients who belong to a fund where agreements are not in place, or when any part of the claim is not accepted by the fund, a pathology account will be issued.
Fees
Clinical Labs' fees are based on Australian Medical Association (AMA) recommended rates for pathology services. While there will be an "out of pocket" cost for members of non-participating funds, Clinical Labs has set a "cap" to help minimise this expense and the fees will not exceed the "cap". This "gap" fee will not exceed $500 for the whole hospital stay.
Veterans' Affairs Gold Cardholders
Veterans' Affairs Gold Cardholders should present their card to our collection staff, and Australian Clinical Labs will bill the Department of Veterans' Affairs directly.
Medicare Safety Net
Patients should remember to register with the Department of Human Services so that they are eligible for benefits under the revised Medicare Safety Net. Please refer to the Department of Human Services website for your eligibility and entitlements.