Medicare and My Health Record Changes in 2026: What They Mean for Your Imaging Appointment
If you’ve had a scan recently, or you’re booking one soon, you may notice a few changes to the way Medicare billing and imaging reports are handled.
From 1 July 2026, several national changes came into effect across Australian healthcare, including updated Medicare bulk-billing processes and new My Health Record requirements for diagnostic imaging reports.
Here’s what patients and referring practitioners need to know.
What Changed on 1 July 2026
Changes to bulk-billing consent
When a healthcare provider bulk bills a service, the patient assigns their Medicare benefit to the provider as full payment for that service. This is known as an assignment of benefit.
From 1 July 2026, new requirements introduced more flexibility around how this agreement can be completed, including electronic and paper-based options.
A 12-month transition period is also currently in place, allowing verbal assignment of benefit for bulk-billed services where the required process and documentation are followed.
For patients, this may simply mean the way you are asked to confirm bulk billing looks slightly different at your appointment.
More imaging reports are being shared with My Health Record
From 1 July 2026, diagnostic imaging reports prepared by, or on behalf of, a radiologist must generally be uploaded to My Health Record, unless an exception applies or the provider has been granted an extension.
This requirement applies to the written imaging report, not the diagnostic images themselves.
Patients can also request that a particular report not be uploaded to their My Health Record.
Reports will continue to be provided directly to the healthcare practitioner who requested your imaging through existing clinical systems.
Medicare fee indexation
From 1 July 2026, most diagnostic imaging services listed on the Medicare Benefits Schedule received annual fee indexation of 2.6%.
This does not mean every diagnostic imaging service is automatically bulk billed. Billing arrangements can vary depending on the examination, Medicare eligibility and the relevant MBS requirements.
If you are unsure about the cost of your scan, our team can confirm the applicable billing arrangements before your appointment.
What This Means for Your Next Scan
For most patients, the changes are relatively straightforward.
You may notice:
- A different process for confirming your agreement when a service is bulk billed
- More diagnostic imaging reports becoming available through My Health Record
- Your report continuing to be sent directly to the healthcare practitioner who requested your imaging
- No major change to the way you book or attend your scan
Depending on the examination, you may need a valid imaging request from an eligible healthcare practitioner. Our team can check your request when you book if you are unsure.
When Will My Report Appear in My Health Record?
Not every diagnostic imaging report becomes visible to patients immediately.
Reports for X-rays of the limbs can generally be viewed as soon as they are uploaded to My Health Record.
Most other diagnostic imaging reports, including CT, MRI, mammography, ultrasound and other X-rays, become available for patients to view after a five-day delay.
Healthcare practitioners involved in your care can continue to access uploaded reports without this patient viewing delay.
Your referring practitioner remains the best person to explain your imaging findings in the context of your symptoms, medical history and overall care.
What This Means for Referring Practitioners
For GPs, specialists and other eligible referring practitioners, the changes primarily affect the administrative and information-sharing aspects of diagnostic imaging.
Radiant Radiology will continue to provide reports directly through existing clinical reporting pathways. Where the My Health Record requirements apply, reports will also be uploaded to the patient’s My Health Record, supporting access to important health information across their broader healthcare team.
The new requirements do not replace direct clinical communication or existing reporting workflows.
Accessing Your Images
Radiant Radiology patients can access their medical images securely through the Radiant Patient Portal.
My Health Record provides another way for eligible diagnostic imaging reports to be accessed by patients and healthcare practitioners.
If you have questions about accessing your images or about how these changes may apply to your appointment, our team is happy to help.
Book Your Imaging Appointment
If you have an imaging request for an X-ray, ultrasound, CT, MRI or another diagnostic imaging service, contact Radiant Radiology to arrange your appointment and confirm any preparation or billing requirements beforehand.
With clinics in Pimpama, Ormeau, Yarrabilba and Elanora, our team supports patients and healthcare practitioners across the Gold Coast and Logan region.