How Can I Request an Ultrasound Referral Online?
The best way to request an ultrasound referral online is to book an online consultation at Instant Consult. It’s quick, convenient, and accessible wherever you are in Australia. Here’s how to do it:
- Sign up for an Account: Start by downloading the Instant Consult app or visit our homepage. Then sign up or log in to your account if you already have one.
- Book an Online Consultation: On your dashboard, click on the “Request a Consult” button and follow the prompts. One of our doctors will connect with you in 15 minutes or less.
- Hop on a Video Call: Talk to your doctor about your symptoms, health concerns, medical history, and other things they might need to assess your needs.
- Receive Your Referral: If deemed necessary, our doctor will issue an ultrasound referral letter, which will be sent straight to your device right after the consultation. You can then use it to schedule a radiology appointment with your preferred provider.
Yes, it’s that easy! With our easy-to-use app and a team of experienced and AHPRA-accredited online doctors, Instant Consult is your best choice if you need an ultrasound referral but can’t (or don’t want to) see a doctor in person.
Instant consult also offers other online services such as online prescriptions like a ventolin prescription or a keflex prescription, and online referrals like ophthalmologist referral. Get in touch with our online GP doctors to know more.
What is an Ultrasound?
An ultrasound is a diagnostic imaging technique used in healthcare to create images of the inside of the body. It uses high-frequency sound waves, which are sent into the body using a device called a transducer. The sound waves bounce off tissues, organs, and fluids, and the echoes are then captured by the transducer. A computer processes these echoes to produce images on a screen.
Ultrasounds are widely used for various purposes, including:
- Examining the heart, kidneys, liver, and other organs.
- Monitoring the development of a fetus during pregnancy.
- Guiding certain medical procedures, such as biopsies.
- Evaluating conditions of the muscles, joints, and blood vessels.
This technology is non-invasive and does not use ionising radiation, making it a safe option for imaging, including during pregnancy. It’s a crucial tool for health professionals to diagnose, monitor, and provide patient care effectively.
Do I Need a Referral for an Ultrasound in Australia?
Technically, you can get an ultrasound without a referral. However, having one is beneficial for several reasons:
- Medicare Benefits: A referral from a doctor or health professional allows you to claim Medicare benefits for ultrasound services. This can significantly reduce the cost of the ultrasound.
- Accurate Diagnosis: The referral contains important information about your health history and why the ultrasound is needed. This helps the radiologist to focus on the area of concern for a more accurate diagnosis.
- Specialised Care: For certain types of ultrasounds, especially those related to specific conditions, a referral is necessary to ensure the examination is performed by a specialist in that area.
Types of Ultrasound Referrals Our Doctors Can Provide
Our online doctors can provide e-referral forms for a wide range of ultrasound services. This includes:
- Abdominal Ultrasound: For examining organs in the abdomen, including the liver, gallbladder, spleen, pancreas, and kidneys.
- Pelvic Ultrasound: Used to assess pelvic organs like the uterus, ovaries, and bladder.
- Obstetric Ultrasound: For monitoring the development of the fetus during pregnancy.
- Musculoskeletal Ultrasound: Helps in evaluating muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints.
- Vascular Ultrasound: For assessing blood flow in arteries and veins, including checks for blood clots or blockages.
- Thyroid Ultrasound: Used to examine the thyroid gland for abnormalities.
- Breast Ultrasound: Often used in conjunction with mammography to evaluate breast lumps or other abnormalities.
How to Get Your Results
In Australia, ultrasound results are sent directly to the referring practitioner instead of the patient’s email. If you got your request form from Instant Consult, your ultrasound report will be sent to us.
Once we get hold of your results, we will promptly inform you about it. You will then have to schedule a follow-up consultation so our doctors can discuss your results and recommend the best course of action.
Depending on your results, they may issue an online prescription, request a pathology test or another radiology test, refer you to a specialist, and even provide medical certificates if needed.
Are Online Ultrasound Referrals Valid?
Yes, online ultrasound referrals are valid. In Australia, health professionals can send radiology and diagnostic imaging requests through online e-referral systems. As long as they are issued by a qualified healthcare professional and include essential details like the patient’s name, referring doctor or practice name and phone number, and provider number.
Instant Consult’s online referrals, in particular, are valid anywhere in Australia. That’s because our Australian registered doctors hold full licenses and are accredited by AHPRA. So, any referrals they issue are as valid as any you would get in in-person consultations.
Radiology Referrals Without the Hassle
Need something other than ultrasound? Our doctors can also provide referrals for other radiology and diagnostic imaging services, such as:
- CT Scan: For detailed images of the body’s internal structures, helping in diagnosing conditions of the bones, blood vessels, and soft tissues.
- MRI: Offers a more detailed look at organs and tissues, ideal for identifying issues in the brain, spine, joints, and muscles.
- Nuclear Medicine: This includes PET (Positron Emission Tomography) Scan, SPECT (Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography) Scan, Thyroid Scan, Bone Scan, etc.
- X-Ray: Quick and effective for examining bones, teeth, and sometimes organs to detect fractures, infections, or abnormalities.
Why Choose Instant Consult
Instant Consult’s telehealth services make it easier to get online ultrasound referrals from real doctors. Here’s why it’s a smart choice:
- Convenience: Get referrals from the comfort of your home. No need to travel or wait in line.
- Speed: Our online platform connects you with AHPRA-accredited doctors in 15 minutes or less.
- Wide Range of Services: From ultrasound and blood test referrals to repeat prescriptions, we offer a wide range of telehealth services tailored to your needs.
- Bulk-Billing Option: Our consults are bulk-billed for patients 12 months and under with a valid Medicare card. And if you have to pay for your consultation out of your own pocket, our fees are very competitive too. Check out our pricing page to learn more about how much you can expect to pay.
- Accessibility: Connect with licensed and AHPRA-accredited doctors from the comfort of your own home or wherever in Australia, from city suburbs to the outbacks.
Ready to take the next step in managing your health? Book a consultation with Instant Consult today. Whether you’re at home or on the go, we’re giving you better access to the healthcare you need when you need it.
Instant access to chat with a doctor with a comprehensive range of services
With Instant Consult, you can chat with a doctor and get help for a wide range of medical requests, all from the comfort of your home!
1
Medical Certificates
Are you too ill to come into work and need to give your boss a medical certificate? With Instant Consult you can chat with a doctor and get a medical certificate sent directly to your app’s inbox, all without getting out of bed!
2
Prescriptions
If you need a new prescription or need to update an ongoing one then you can use our app to instantly chat to a doctor who can prepare your prescription promptly!
3
Referrals
If you have a medical condition that needs treatment from a specialist, one of our GP’s can send a digital referral straight to your app’s inbox.
4
Pathology Requests
If you need a blood cell count or to check for STDs/STIs or need any other kind of bloodwork you can easily get a pathology request sent to your inbox by any of our fully licensed online GPs. You can then take the request to the clinic of your choice.
5
Radiology Requests
If you require any special kind of diagnostic imaging such as a CAT scan or an MRI you can get a request from one of our online GPs which you can then take to your preferred provider.
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Australian registered, fully qualified, insured and experienced Doctors right at your fingertips ready for an instant online consult