Food allergy

Extended RAST® Food Panel

1. Egg white2. Cow’s milk 3. Codfish4. Wheat 5. Rice 6. Sesame seed7. Peanut 8. Soybean 9. Hazelnut10. Almond11. Mango 12. Banana 13. Cashew14. Walnut15. Shrimp (prawn)

For a full list of RAST® and Phadia ImmunocapTM allergens see www.snp.com.au

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Food allergy in both children and adults is increasing in Australia. It is common for more than one food to affect adults and children, so it is important to determine if the reaction is due to an allergy, and if other foods may also be a problem.

To identify food allergies, SNP now offers an extended RAST® food panel.

The interpretation of allergy tests is complex: only for a few foods is the data relatively complete; these include peanuts, some treenuts, cow’s milk, hen’s egg, wheat and soy. Fish allergy in Australia is not well researched, although information on allergy to prawns is quite well developed.

A positive allergy test (often called a RAST® test) does not guarantee allergy (in most settings) and, depending on the food and situation, a negative test may not exclude allergy. In addition, some food allergens cross-react with environmental allergens (e.g. cockroach and prawn) which may/may not have clinical effects. For this reason the results of the test must be discussed with your doctor.

Sensitisation to foods may occur if those foods are not included in the regular diet, especially in young children. In adults, new onset food allergy is not uncommon but is related less to a background of allergic diseases such as eczema or asthma than in children. In australia, prawn allergy most commonly presents as an adult.

SNP can offer advice to your doctor on allergy interpretation if needed.

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*Correct at time of printing, subject to change without notice. For further information visit our website www.snp.com.au Applicable to outpatient pathology services.

YOUR ACCOUNTPathology fees are separate from the fees charged by other doctors who may treat you. We limit our fees so that your out-of-pocket expenses are kept to a minimum.

Extended allergy tests cannot be bulk billed. You will receive an account.

Visit www.snp.com.au for current fees.

PAYING YOUR ACCOUNT

CLAIMING YOUR REBATEWhen the account is paid you can submit the receipt to Medicare to claim your rebate.

Your Medicare rebate is the subsidy provided by the Australian government for services that are included in the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS). If any of your tests are not covered in the MBS you will not receive a rebate. You will need to pay for these tests in full.

For more information about personal and test eligibility visit the Medicare Australia website www.medicareaustralia.gov.au. Enter the item numbers from your invoice to search for a description of the services provided. Alternatively, contact Medicare on 132 011.

ACCOUNT ENQUIRESIf you need assistance please contact our Patient Services Support Team on 1300 732 030.

YOUR RESULTSTo obtain a copy of your pathology results please telephone our Patient Results Enquiry line (07) 33778756.

Your account and your medicare rebate

www.snp.com.au

Australia Post Office. Pay your account and the receipt you receive can be used to claim your Medicare rebate

BPay Internet Banking. Details are provided on your account. Your receipt will be mailed to you to claim your Medicare rebate.

Online credit card www.snp.com.au

Phone Credit Card 1300 654 296. Phone facility 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Your receipt will be mailed to you to claim your Medicare rebate

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