Due to changes, by the Commonwealth Government, to the Medicare Benefits Schedule from the 1st of November 2014, the cost of vitamin D testing can only be claimed when there are certain clinical conditions. These conditions must be made known to the pathology department when filling out the request form.

The cost of the testing can ONLY be claimed through Medicare if your doctor has written on the request form that you have one or more of the following clinical conditions:

• Signs or symptoms of osteoporosis or osteomalacia.
• Increased alkaline phosphatase and otherwise normal liver function tests.
• Hyperparathyroidism, hypo- or hypercalcemia, or hypophosphataemia.
• You are suffering from malabsorption (for example, because of cystic fibrosis, short bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease or untreated celiac disease, or has a bariatric surgery).
• Deeply pigmented skin or chronic or severe lack of sun exposure for cultural, medical, occupational, or residential reasons.
• You are taking medication known to decrease 25OH-D levels (for example, anticonvulsant).
• Chronic renal failure or is a renal transplant recipient.
• You are less than 16 years of age and have a signs or symptoms of rickets.
• An infant (birth to 12 months) whose mother has established vitamin D deficiency.
• An exclusively breastfed baby and has at least one risk factor mentioned in a paragraph in this item.
• Have a sibling who is less than 16 years of age and has a Vitamin D deficiency.

If you do not meet one or more of the above listed conditions, the testing can not be claimed through Medicare, and the test will cost $25.55. ACT Pathology will bill you for this testing which cannot be claimed through Medicare.

If you have any concerns with this testing, please discuss with your Health Practitioner. Contact: ___________________________________________________________________