Common questions, answered.

Yes. An echocardiogram is a Medicare-rebated diagnostic service, so you’ll need a referral from your GP, cardiologist, or another specialist before your appointment.

You can book online through our booking page (opens in a new tab), or call us on 0410 357 488 and we’ll find a time that suits you.

Get in touch before your appointment. You can email a copy through, or ask your doctor’s practice to send one directly to us. If you’re already at the clinic, let reception know and we’ll help sort it out.

Yes. We visit partner clinics across Victoria on set days. Our Locations page lists each site with its service days, opening hours, and parking information.

We’d appreciate as much notice as you can give so we can offer the appointment to someone else. A call to 0410 357 488 is all it takes.

Yes. We send an SMS reminder the day before your appointment.

Nothing, if you’re eligible. We bulk-bill every eligible echocardiogram, so there’s no out-of-pocket cost and no gap payment. Eligibility means a valid Medicare card, a referral from a GP or specialist, and a scan that meets the Medicare criteria for the item your referral requests.

If you’re not eligible, the scan isn’t bulk-billed and a fee applies. We check Medicare eligibility before every appointment, so if a fee applies to you we’ll tell you well in advance, not on the day of your scan.

No. If you’re eligible, we bill Medicare directly. You won’t be asked to pay anything on the day and there’s no invoice afterwards.

Medicare allows one bulk-billed initial echocardiogram every two years, regardless of who refers you. If you have a known cardiac condition, such as valvular disease, heart failure, or structural heart disease, additional bulk-billed echocardiograms may be available when clinically indicated. If you’re unsure whether your referral qualifies, call us on 0410 357 488 and we’ll check for you.

It’s an ultrasound scan of your heart. A sonographer uses a small handheld probe and gel on your chest to produce moving images of your heart’s chambers, valves, and blood flow.

No. The scan is painless. You may feel light pressure from the probe, and the gel is cold. Some people find lying on their left side for a while a bit uncomfortable. Tell your sonographer if you need to adjust.

No. Echocardiography uses ultrasound, the same technology used in pregnancy scans. There’s no radiation involved.

There’s nothing you need to do beforehand. Eat normally and take your usual medications unless your doctor has told you otherwise. A loose-fitting top or two-piece outfit makes things easier, as you’ll need to undress to the waist for the scan.

Preparing for your echo

Your referral and your Medicare card. Please arrive about 10 minutes before your appointment time.

You’ll lie on an examination bed, usually on your left side. Small ECG stickers go on your chest so we can track your heart rhythm. The sonographer moves the probe across several positions and may ask you to hold your breath briefly at times.

What to expect

Yes. Echocardiography is safe in pregnancy and is not affected by pacemakers, defibrillators, or other implanted devices.

No. Your sonographer can’t discuss findings with you. All studies are reported by a consultant cardiologist and the report goes to the doctor who referred you.

Book a follow-up with your referring doctor. They’ll have your full report and can put the findings in the context of your history and symptoms.

After your echo

We currently provide transthoracic echocardiograms (TTE), the standard ultrasound scan of the heart. We don’t currently offer stress echocardiography, bubble studies, or contrast studies.

Fully accredited cardiac sonographers.

An experienced consultant cardiologist reports every study.

Meet the team

We visit partner GP clinics across Victoria. Each location has its own page with service days, hours, and parking.

Referral details, our request form, and information about hosting a clinic are on our For Practices pages.