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Not Medicare-funded ones. Dietitians can’t request Medicare-funded pathology, because Medicare only funds tests requested by eligible practitioners such as GPs, so most dietitians work from results the client’s GP has ordered. Through Vively, you can refer the 70+ marker Baseline Health Check, which costs a client with a Medicare card a $99 Vively fee, a 14-day glucose sensor and 300+ private tests from one free practitioner account.
Why Medicare pathology needs a doctor
Medicare pays benefits for pathology only when an eligible practitioner requests the test. Dietitians aren’t eligible requesters, so a request from you can’t be bulk billed or attract a Medicare rebate, even when your client sees you under a GP chronic disease management plan.
That usually leaves you working from whatever the client’s GP last ordered, which may be months old or missing the markers you need, such as fasting insulin.
Why your client’s GP may say no
The RACGP advises GPs to request tests only when they’re clinically indicated, and to use their own judgement when a patient brings a list from another practitioner. Many GPs decline broad panels for that reason. It isn’t personal, but it leaves your client in the middle.
What is the Baseline Health Check?
The Baseline Health Check is a 70+ marker blood test that gives you a full starting picture: blood count, kidneys, liver, lipids, glucose and insulin, iron, thyroid, inflammation and vitamin D. 40 markers show an evidence-backed Vively optimal range beside the lab’s range.
- $99 with a Medicare card. Medicare funds the pathology and a 5–10 minute telehealth GP consult, where the GP reviews the request and confirms the final tests, as with any Medicare referral. Your client pays a $99 Vively fee, once every 3 months.
- $299 without Medicare. The same Baseline, paid privately.
- One blood draw. At one of about 3,700 Vively partner collection centres (Healius brands, Australian Clinical Labs and 4Cyte), with any private tests collected at the same time.
What else you can refer
Beyond the Baseline, your account has 300+ private tests, priced per test, from pathology partners including Nutripath, Microba and Fatty Acid Labs. Blood tests are collected at a collection centre, and at-home kits are posted to your client.
- Hormones. DUTCH dried urine, saliva hormone profiles, and the Perimenopause and Female Hormone Health blood tests. See tests
- Fertility. AMH, semen analysis and DNA Fertility. See tests
- Genetics. The myDNA Comprehensive Health Report, MTHFR and DNA methylation. See tests
- Gut health. Comprehensive stool analysis (CDSA), microbiome mapping and SIBO breath tests. See tests
- Food sensitivities. IgG and IgA food panels, from 96 to 240 foods. See tests
- Stress & sleep. Cortisol and DHEA saliva profiles, sleep profiles and neurotransmitters. See tests
- Heart & metabolic. HbA1c, fasting insulin, homocysteine and continuous glucose monitoring. See tests
- Nutrients. Iron studies, vitamin D, B12, red cell minerals and the omega-3 index. See tests
- Toxins & metabolism. Heavy metals, mycotoxins, organic acids and hair mineral analysis. See tests
Add a 14-day glucose sensor
Refer 1–4 Sibionics GS3 sensors, on their own or in the same referral as pathology. Vively posts the sensor and supports setup, and you see glucose against the target range you set, beside the meals and activity your client logs. How CGM referrals work
Your three options
| Ask the client’s GP | Private lab account | Vively | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who chooses the tests | The GP, if they agree | You | You |
| Cost to your client | Varies | Full private price per test | $99 Vively fee for the 70+ marker Baseline with a Medicare card, or private prices |
| Your admin | A letter and waiting | Account, forms and chasing | One referral |
| Results | Whatever your client passes on | A PDF | Structured results with lab and optimal ranges, in your client’s record |
Ask the client’s GP
- Who chooses the tests
- The GP, if they agree
- Cost to your client
- Varies
- Your admin
- A letter and waiting
- Results
- Whatever your client passes on
Private lab account
- Who chooses the tests
- You
- Cost to your client
- Full private price per test
- Your admin
- Account, forms and chasing
- Results
- A PDF
Vively
- Who chooses the tests
- You
- Cost to your client
- $99 Vively fee for the 70+ marker Baseline with a Medicare card, or private prices
- Your admin
- One referral
- Results
- Structured results with lab and optimal ranges, in your client’s record
How testing works through Vively
What it saves you and your client
- Your time. No GP letters, no lab accounts and no chasing PDFs. One referral covers blood tests, at-home kits and CGM, and every result lands in one record with each marker’s last four results.
- Your client’s money. With a Medicare card, the Baseline is a $99 Vively fee instead of $299 private, and private tests go in the same blood draw.
- Your client’s time. A short telehealth call instead of a GP appointment, then one of about 3,700 collection centres.
- Your client relationship. Results come to you, and the care plan stays with you.
What to tell your client
“I’d like us to do a full set of bloods through Vively. You’ll get an email with a secure link to pay. With your Medicare card it’s a $99 Vively fee, and Medicare covers the rest. You’ll have a quick telehealth call with a GP, then a blood test at a collection centre near you, and the results come straight to me.”
Common questions
Can dietitians refer for Medicare-funded blood tests?
Not directly. Medicare only funds pathology requested by eligible practitioners such as GPs. Through Vively, a GP issues the Medicare referral for the Baseline Health Check after a short telehealth consult, confirming the final tests subject to their clinical review. A client with a Medicare card pays a $99 Vively fee.
How much does a blood test cost through a dietitian?
Through Vively, the Baseline Health Check is a $99 Vively fee with a Medicare card, or $299 without. Private tests are priced per test, and your client sees the price before paying.
Which tests can dietitians order?
Through Vively: the Baseline Health Check, plus 300+ private tests across hormones, fertility, genetics, gut health, food sensitivities, stress and sleep, nutrients and environmental toxins, and continuous glucose monitoring.
Does my client need to see their own GP?
No. For the Medicare Baseline, your client has a 5–10 minute telehealth call with a GP through Vively. Private tests need no GP call.
How do the results come back?
Into your client’s record in Vively, with lab and optimal ranges side by side and the lab’s PDF. You’re notified, and you choose when your client sees them.
Can dietitians refer a continuous glucose monitor?
Yes. Refer 1–4 Sibionics GS3 sensors through Vively, on their own or with pathology, and see glucose beside the meals your client logs.
