Getting ready for your appointment | Hep B

If you have hepatitis B, or liver health issues, you will have appointments at different times for your treatment or monitoring. The information below helps you prepare for appointments. It covers the types of appointments you might have, things to bring to your appointment, and some costs and rebates. You can talk or Chat with our Hepatitis Infoline if you have any questions about appointments for hepatitis B.

NOTE: All the information below is for people with a Medicare card, who live in NSW.

Types of appointments

Appointments for regular monitoring and check-up (GP or Liver Clinic)
Appointments for treatment (GP or Liver Clinic)
Appointments for a blood test
Appointments for a liver scan (ultrasound)

You could see a GP (your doctor), nurse, specialist, or Liver Clinic, either face-to-face or via Telehealth (by phone or online).

Making your appointments

Use our online local service directory, to find contact details for clinics, doctors and specialists near you. If you need help finding a service, please contact us through the Hepatitis Infoline and we will help you through the process.

Ask if there are any costs when you make your appointment.

If you are not confident about talking in English, you can ask for a Health Care interpreter. Health Care interpreters can support you in person or over the phone.

Find Telehealth information for hepatitis B, here >>

Things to bring to Your Appointment

Bring or have on your phone:

referral letters from your GP (only specialists need a referral letter, you don’t need a referral letter from your GP)
your Medicare card and ID
your contact details, including email address
contact number for your GP or treating specialist
carer or family member’s name and contact details
any test results
list of your medications, including for other health conditions
list of any supplements, traditional medicines or alternative medicines you are taking
a list of any questions you might have (so you don’t forget).
if you are not confident speaking English, bring someone who can help you talk with your doctor, or a Health Care interpreter.

Types of tests you might need to get

Simple blood tests:
- Liver Function Test (LFT) to check how your liver is performing.
- Hepatitis B viral load (also called HBV DNA) that looks at the amount of virus in your blood.
- Different antigen or antibody tests that help the specialist to see how your hepatitis B and immune systems are interacting.
- A test for hepatitis D or Delta, a virus that is sometimes found with hepatitis B.
- A full blood count test.
FibroScan: This painless liver scan looks for liver damage such as fibrosis or cirrhosis. This test is available at Liver Clinics for free.
Ultrasound: This test looks for liver damage such as cirrhosis or fibrosis, as well as cysts, lumps or tumors that may or may not be liver cancer. This test may be free as a public patient, or you may have to pay upfront and claim the Medicare rebate, but you’ll be out-of-pocket $100-150.

Ask if there are any costs when you make your appointment.

During your appointment

Look at your list of questions to ask your doctor and take note of the answers.
You or anyone you have brought to your appointment can make notes.
You can call a support person to listen to the appointment if they can’t be there in person.
Ask your doctor or specialist to explain if you don’t understand something.
Keep your referrals, test results and scripts safe, all in one bag or envelope, and put them in a safe place.
Ask about any preparation you need for any tests (e.g. fasting).

After your appointment

After your appointment it is a good idea to list any future appointments or tests on your mobile phone calendar (with reminders), paper calendar or diary.
Call or Chat with the Hepatitis Infoline if you didn’t understand any part of your hepatitis B appointment. The team can help you make sense of anything that might be confusing.

Understanding your results

Read all about hepatitis B test results, here >>
Test results can be confusing so try to ask your doctor questions when you receive them.

You can also contact the Hepatitis Infoline staff to help you understand your test results and what to do next.

Regular ongoing monitoring for hepatitis B or liver disease

If you have hepatitis B it is essential to see your doctor every 6 months for regular monitoring tests. This is the most important thing you can do to stay healthy.

Regular ongoing tests may be needed to catch any changes or for early signs of liver cancer, for effective treatment.

Do not miss these appointments. If you miss an appointment, reschedule as soon as possible.

Appointment costs and rebates

Always check with your clinic or health provider for the most up-to-date costs.

GP Telehealth appointments costs and rebates

For most people with hepatitis B, a face-to-face appointment is the best way for your specialist or doctor to keep you informed and engaged about your health. However, Telehealth appointments may be offered and can save you time and travel costs. The doctor’s staff will tell you the cost and ask for credit card payment details when you book your appointment. Costs for Telehealth appointments are about the same as in-person appointment costs, with the same Medicare rebate.

Medicare costs and rebates for hepatitis B Care

Public hospital liver/hepatitis clinics provide consultations free of charge or Medicare bulk-billed.

A standard doctor’s appointment will cost about $90, but $43.90 is rebated by Medicare, so your actual payment is $46 after the rebate, as of April 2026. Find out how to access Medicare rebates, here >>

If the doctor decides to bulk bill your visit, you won’t have to pay anything.

Once you start hepatitis B treatment, you will usually stay on it for life. You will need regular prescriptions (scripts). Once you start to take hepatitis B treatment, your doctor or specialist will make regular appointments to see you and can renew the script and send it to you by email or text, so that you don’t run out.

Medication for hepatitis B treatment is free for those who live in NSW and have a Medicare card. You will be given a script from your doctor or specialist which you can take to any pharmacy or chemist shop to collect your medication. They may need to order your medicine, and ask you to come and collect it a few days later. See our Directory to find a pharmacy near you. There are also online pharmacies that can help.

Treatment is funded through the PBS (Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme) so it is free for adults with hepatitis B who hold a Medicare Card. Also, the pharmacy co-payment (the script) cost can be free if your doctor completes this form, with your consent: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/pharmaceutical/s100copay/Documents/copayment-consent.pdf

Services if you do not have Medicare

If you do not have access to Medicare, you can still access testing, care, and treatment (if required) for hepatitis B, but there may be a cost. The price of hepatitis B medication without Medicare is about $40 to $80 per month. The cost of tests, GP visits, specialist appointments, and liver scans can add up when you don’t have Medicare. If you have private health insurance, check with them to see if any of these costs are covered. If you need to access care for hepatitis B but are worried about the costs, you can online Chat with the Hepatitis Infoline or give them a call, and the team may be able to find cheaper or free services for you.