Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about diagnostic imaging appointments, referrals, bulk billing, scan preparation and results at Uniradiology Southport. If you can’t find the information you need, please contact our team and we’ll be happy to help.Appointments & Referrals
Yes, you can bring any valid diagnostic imaging referral form to Uniradiology. Under Australian Medicare guidelines, referral forms are legally non-exclusive. Even if the document displays the branding or address of another radiology provider, the referral remains valid for use at the practice of your choice.
Yes, your doctor will receive the full diagnostic report and images regardless of which clinic performs the scan. Uniradiology sends digital reports directly to your referring practitioner’s secure medical software system, typically within 24 to 48 hours, prioritising urgent cases for rapid delivery.
Yes, you can take your radiology referral to any accredited diagnostic imaging provider in Australia. Under Australian health regulations, referral forms that feature a specific radiology clinic’s branding or address are still legally valid at any provider. You retain full freedom of choice regarding where you undergo your X-ray, ultrasound, CT, or MRI scan. Simply present the signed referral form to your chosen clinic at the time of your appointment.
If your radiology referral expires before your appointment, the clinic cannot process a Medicare rebate for your diagnostic scan. You will either need to pay the full private fee for the imaging service out of pocket or reschedule your scan after obtaining a new referral from your medical practitioner. To avoid delays, review the date on your referral form when booking your appointment and visit your GP for a renewal if the referral will expire before your scan date.
Yes, same-day general X-rays and dental OPG scans are available at UniRadiology for patients holding a valid referral from an Australian registered medical practitioner. Standard X-rays do not require advance appointment booking or special patient preparation, allowing you to walk into the clinic during operating hours to have your scan completed promptly.
To book an urgent same-day CT scan, ultrasound, or image-guided injection, call UniRadiology directly at (07) 5531 9300. Advanced modalities require specific scheduling and patient preparation, such as fasting or drinking specific volumes of water. Calling early in the morning allows the receptionist team to allocate an urgent appointment slot while providing appropriate clinical pre-scan instructions.
No, you do not need to contact your general practitioner or specialist to reissue or reprint the referral. As long as the document includes the necessary clinical details, required scan type, and doctor signature, our team can process the referral immediately upon your arrival.
Uniradiology offers comprehensive bulk billing for Medicare-eligible diagnostic procedures presented on any standard referral form. Presenting a referral branded by another provider does not alter your eligibility for bulk-billed X-rays, ultrasounds, CT scans, or bone density tests.
A radiology referral issued by a medical specialist is valid for three months from the date it is written. In contrast, a referral issued by a general practitioner is valid for 12 months. Both timeframes are set by Medicare guidelines across Australia. If you require continuous follow-up imaging managed by a specialist beyond three months, your specialist or GP must issue a new referral document to maintain Medicare rebate eligibility.
An indefinite radiology referral does not expire after 12 months. GPs issue indefinite referrals for patients with chronic or long-term health conditions that require ongoing, periodic imaging over several years. The referral remains active until the issuing doctor revokes it or the patient’s care plan changes. Indefinite referrals eliminate the need for patients with ongoing conditions to visit their GP annually solely to renew imaging requests for the same health issue.
No, you are not obligated to attend the specific provider listed on your referral form. Australian health regulations state that patients have full freedom of choice when selecting an accredited medical imaging provider. UniRadiology accepts all valid GP and specialist referrals, regardless of which radiology group’s logo appears on the paperwork.
You must bring your physical or digital referral form signed by your treating doctor, your Medicare card, and any relevant prior imaging films or reports related to your condition. Bringing previous scans assists our specialist radiologists in comparing anatomical changes over time, ensuring accurate diagnostic interpretations for your referring practitioner.
CT Scans / Imaging Procedures
A standard CT scan uses higher radiation levels to capture high-contrast images of soft tissues, blood vessels, and complex anatomical structures. A low-dose CT scan adjusts the machine settings to reduce radiation exposure by 75 to 90 percent while maintaining sufficient resolution to detect nodules, structural changes, or calcifications. Low-dose protocols are generally preferred for routine health screenings and follow-up monitoring where high radiation doses are unnecessary.
A low-dose CT scan delivers approximately 1.0 to 1.5 millisieverts (mSv) of radiation, depending on patient body habitus and scan area. This amount is equivalent to the natural background radiation an average person receives from the environment over six months. By comparison, a standard chest CT scan exposes a patient to roughly 7.0 mSv. The low exposure level makes low-dose CT a safe choice for recommended annual screening protocols.
Fasting depends on the specific body part being imaged and whether contrast dye is required. Scans of the head, chest, or musculoskeletal system generally do not require fasting. However, if you are undergoing an abdominal CT or a scan requiring intravenous contrast, you will usually be asked to fast for two to four hours beforehand to ensure optimal image clarity and prevent nausea.
You should wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that is easy to change out of if needed. Avoid wearing garments with metal components, such as zips, metallic buttons, underwire bras, or belt buckles. You will also need to remove metal items like jewelry, glasses, and piercings near the scan area, as metal interferes with the X-ray beams and creates image distortions.
Both procedures are safe, regulated diagnostic tools, but standard X-rays involve significantly lower levels of ionising radiation compared to CT scans. A single chest X-ray delivers a minute radiation dose equivalent to a few days of natural background radiation from the environment. A chest CT scan delivers a higher dose equivalent to roughly two to three years of natural background radiation because it captures hundreds of cross-sectional images. Medical practitioners only order CT scans when the diagnostic benefits of detailed three-dimensional imaging clearly outweigh the small additional radiation risk.
A doctor orders a CT scan when a standard X-ray cannot provide sufficient detail to make an accurate diagnosis. Simple X-rays overlay all bodily structures onto one flat image, which can hide subtle abnormalities located behind dense bones or overlapping organs. CT scans eliminate this overlap by capturing thin slices through the body. This level of detail is necessary for detecting small tumors, internal bleeding, blood clots, complex fractures, appendicitis, or early-stage organ disease that flat X-rays simply cannot display.
Most low-dose CT scans, particularly those for lung screening, sinus assessments, or kidney stone detection, require no contrast dye and zero physical preparation. You do not need to fast beforehand, and you can resume normal daily activities immediately after the test. You will simply be asked to remove metal objects, such as jewelry or clothing with metal fasteners, from the area being scanned to ensure clear image capture.
Low-dose CT lung screening is primarily recommended for adults aged 50 to 80 who have a significant history of smoking or occupational exposure to harmful substances like asbestos. Individuals with a personal or family history of lung disease may also benefit. A referral from a general practitioner or specialist is required to ensure the scan is clinically appropriate for your medical background and risk profile.
When intravenous contrast dye is injected, you may feel a warm, flushing sensation spread throughout your body, often starting in the neck and moving downward. Many patients also notice a mild metallic taste in their mouth or a temporary feeling as though they need to urinate. These reactions are standard, entirely safe, and usually fade within two minutes.
The physical scan itself takes only 5 to 10 minutes, although your total appointment may last 30 to 45 minutes to allow for preparation and paperwork. Once the scan is complete, a specialised radiologist analyzes the images and prepares a detailed diagnostic report. This report and the images are sent directly to your referring doctor, who will discuss the findings with you during a follow-up consultation.
Yes, a CT scan can reveal fine stress fractures, hairline cracks, and complex joint injuries that are invisible on standard two-dimensional X-rays. In areas with overlapping bones, such as the spine, pelvis, wrist, or ankle, flat X-ray images can obscure minor displacement or subtle fracture lines. A CT scan provides multi-planar three-dimensional views that allow radiologists to evaluate bone integrity from every angle, making it an invaluable tool for complex trauma assessments and preoperative surgical planning.
The imaging component of a standard X-ray usually takes less than five minutes, with the physical X-ray exposure lasting only milliseconds. A CT scan appointment generally takes 15 to 30 minutes in total. While the actual CT spinning scan sequence takes only a few seconds to a couple of minutes, additional time is required for precise patient positioning, setup, and administering intravenous or oral contrast dye when required for soft tissue visualisation.
Bulk Billing & Medicare
To receive fully bulk billed medical imaging, you must present a valid referral form signed by a registered Australian medical practitioner alongside your active Medicare card. If you hold a Department of Veterans’ Affairs card or valid Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), bring those credentials so the clinic can process direct billing without out-of-pocket expenses.
Yes. Uniradiology Southport offers direct bulk billing for eligible Medicare diagnostic services, including low-dose CT scans, diagnostic ultrasounds, digital X-rays, Dexa and OPG dental imaging. As long as your request form matches the clinical indication criteria set out in the Medicare Benefits Schedule, no gap fee applies.
Dental practitioners and oral specialists can refer patients for digital OPG (orthopantomogram) and lateral cephalometric scans, which Uniradiology Southport fully bulk bills under Medicare. Uniradiology Southport uses digital low dose imaging equipment designed to reduce radiation exposure by up to 60 percent while delivering high definition dental views for treating dentists. As long as the clinical request complies with Medicare guidelines, patients incur zero gap expenses.
International students holding valid Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) with provider partnerships can access direct online billing. Uniradiology Southport processes these claims online directly with insurers, ensuring students face minimal out of pocket cost compared to competitors.
Still Have Questions?
If you still have questions about your imaging request, appointment, preparation, billing or the services available at Uniradiology Southport, our team is happy to help.
Get in touch with us before your appointment and we can help make sure you have the information you need.
Uniradiology Southport
34 High Street, Southport QLD 4215
(07) 5531 9300
1800 UNI RAD / 1800 864 723