Recent Medicare changes recognise audiological assessments performed by audiologists. You may now receive a Medicare rebate directly for a hearing assessment performed by an Audiologist. Your doctor or ear specialist must give you a referral to an Audiologist for a hearing assessment. The referral does not need to be too specific as we can decide which assessments are most appropriate to fulfil the referral.
A full range of hearing assessments from standard audiograms to otoacoustic emissions is covered, including middle ear function tests. Evoked response audiometry is also covered but not vestibular/balance tests at this point. Any balance testing must be referred by an ear specialist or a neurologist to gain a partial rebate.
Hitherto, your doctor had to organise a Care Plan and list Audiology as one of the services to be used against many other allied health practices. Similar regulations apply in that we will send a report back to your referee giving the results and likely outcomes. You will also be offered a copy of the assessment results, which will be explained at the time (as much as practical)
At present, these services are not bulk-billed and we are unable to give you the rebate in the office here. You will still need to take your receipt to a Medicare office and take the rebate from there.
Please note, if you are covered by the Office of Hearing Services scheme (usually full pensioners or Gold card Veterans), you may already be covered for hearing services. Only a few Health funds will rebate for hearing services so please check with them first if Medicare is not available to you. Please call the office on 08 9481 0912 for clarification.