When it comes to serious health concerns, most of us trust that the system will have our backs, especially when early detection can make all the difference.

But for some, the reality of getting vital diagnostic tests comes with a financial sting that’s hard to ignore.

A recent case has sparked fresh debate about the true cost of care and whether lifesaving screenings are slipping out of reach for everyday Australians.


Aimee’s ordeal began like it does for so many women: she found a lump in her breast.

Wasting no time, she visited her GP, who referred her for an ultrasound at the Geelong Breast Clinic.

What started as a single test quickly snowballed into a mammogram and a biopsy when doctors spotted something concerning.


Here’s where things took a turn. Aimee was initially told the ultrasound would cost about $600, with a Medicare rebate of around $300.

But as more tests were added, she wasn’t kept in the loop about the mounting costs.

When she reached the reception desk, she was hit with a bill for $1,442—money she didn’t have on hand. She had to call her husband to transfer funds just to pay for the tests.


After Medicare rebates, Aimee was still left $787 out of pocket. And this was just for the diagnostics—before any treatment had even begun.

If you’re over 40, you might know that screening mammograms are free in Australia.

But if you need further diagnostic tests—like ultrasounds, biopsies, or more detailed imaging—the costs can quickly add up.

While you can opt for the public system, the wait times can be months long.

For Aimee, the public clinic had a three-month wait, which simply wasn’t an option when cancer was suspected.


Tania Armstrong, General Manager of the Geelong Breast Clinic, explains that these tests require highly skilled specialists and expensive equipment.

Medicare rebates for diagnostic imaging haven’t kept pace with the real costs for decades, leaving patients to pick up the slack.

While some clinics offer payment plans or compassionate billing, many women are still left with hefty bills at a time when they’re already stressed and vulnerable.

Aimee’s story isn’t unique. Many Australians—especially younger women who don’t qualify for free screening—are shocked to discover the out-of-pocket costs for essential diagnostic tests.

After sharing her experience online, Aimee was flooded with stories from other mums who simply couldn’t afford the tests or treatment.

This inspired her to start a Change.org petition calling for free diagnostic breast cancer tests, which has already attracted nearly 20,000 signatures.


'It’s really concerning when people are literally out there going, ‘I don’t know what to do because I can’t afford it’,' Aimee said.

'Ultimately, these tests should be free, that’s my dream. But at the very least, they need to be more affordable. There needs to be a bigger rebate, and I think that we need payment options.'

The federal government is currently reviewing some Medicare-funded diagnostic imaging services, including breast imaging.

There’s hope that this could lead to increased rebates and reduced out-of-pocket costs for patients.

In the meantime, clinics like Geelong Breast Clinic are calling for more government funding to ensure all women—regardless of where they live or their financial situation—can access timely, life-saving tests.


It’s worth remembering that early detection saves lives. Aimee’s quick action meant her cancer was caught at stage two.

She’s since undergone chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation, and is now on the road to recovery.

But she can’t help but think about the women who might delay or skip tests because of the cost, and what that could mean for their health.
Have you or someone you know faced unexpected bills for diagnostic tests or treatment? Do you think these tests should be free, or at least more affordable? What changes would you like to see in our healthcare system? Let us know in the comments below.

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