Glossary

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  1. D

    diagnostic imaging

    The production of diagnostic images; for example, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, X-rays, ultrasound and nuclear medicine scans.

  2. M

    Medicare

    A national, government-funded scheme that subsidises the cost of personal medical services for all Australians and aims to help them afford medical care.

    Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS)

    The Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) is the listing of the Medicare services subsidised by the Australian Government. The schedule is part of the wider Medicare Benefits Scheme (Medicare).

    Medicare-subsidised services

    Refer to services listed in the MBS that resulted in a payment of Medicare benefit.

    microbiology

    In the pathology context, microbiology is the detection of diseases caused by infectious agents such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites.

  3. O

    out-of-pocket costs

    The total costs incurred by individuals for health care services over and above any refunds from Medicare.

  4. P

    pathology

    A general term for the study of disease, but often used more specifically to describe diagnostic services that examine specimens, such as samples of blood or tissue.

    polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test

    Polymerase chain reaction is a laboratory test that detects genetic material from a specific organism, such as a virus that causes COVID-19.

  5. R

    remoteness areas

    Each state and territory is divided into several regions based on their relative accessibility to goods and services (such as to general practitioners, hospitals and medical specialist care) as measured by road distance. These regions are based on the Accessibility/Remoteness Index of Australia and defined as Remoteness Areas by the Australian Statistical Geographical Standard (ASGS) in each Census year. The 5 Remoteness Areas are: Major cities, Inner regional, Outer regional, Remote and Very remote. Please refer to the ASGS Remoteness Structure 2016 for more information.