A valid referral from your doctor is required to receive Medicare Rebate.

In Australia, there are two main fee guides for specialists like cardiologists:

• Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS): This is the government’s standard fee. Medicare pays a rebate that covers part of your consultation.

• Australian Medical Association (AMA) Fees: These are higher recommended fees that reflect the real costs of running a specialist practice, such as staff, equipment, and insurance.

Most private practices charge somewhere between the Medicare and AMA fees.