General consultation
MBS item 36: GP Level C consult in rooms (20 min or more)
Checked against the MBS in force from . Fee current from .
Item 36 pays for a long GP consult in the rooms lasting at least 20 minutes, with a detailed history, for one or more health issues. The schedule fee is $87.10, and the Medicare benefit is 100% of it ($87.10).
- Schedule fee
- $87.10
- Medicare benefit (100%)
- $87.10
Official MBS wording
Professional attendance by a general practitioner at consulting rooms (other than a service to which another item in the table applies), lasting at least 20 minutes and including any of the following that are clinically relevant: (a) taking a detailed patient history; (b) performing a clinical examination; (c) arranging any necessary investigation; (d) implementing a management plan; (e) providing appropriate preventive health care; for one or more health-related issues, with appropriate documentation-each attendance
What to check before you bill item 36
Each line links to the MBS passage it comes from.
- Billed by a GP (vocationally recognised, or a GP registrar on an approved placement) Item 36
- Face to face (video and phone consults have their own items) AN.0.9
- Seen at consulting rooms Item 36
- In business hours for consulting rooms: started on a weekday from 8am to 8pm, or a Saturday from 8am to 1pm, not a public holiday AN.0.9
- At least 20 minutes with the patient Item 36
- Took a history, examined, arranged investigations, implemented a management plan, or gave preventive care (at least one) AN.0.9
- The consultation’s clinical details are recorded at the time (appropriate, contemporaneous notes) AN.0.9
- Only time with the patient counts (or on the call, for video and phone): notes, forms, or talking to relatives after the patient has left don’t AN.0.9
- Several problems dealt with in one consultation are one attendance, billed on the consultation’s total time: each problem isn’t claimed as a separate attendance (unless a more specific item applies to one of them) AN.0.9
- Time spent on a procedure or other separately billed service on the same day doesn’t count toward the consultation’s time AN.0.9
- Not only routine aftercare of a procedure or fracture you treated on an earlier day: its fee already covers that AN.0.9
- The notes don’t say there was no separate consultation GN.14.36
- Clinically relevant and distinct from the other service done at this visit: that service includes its consent, doing it, discussing its results, and routine aftercare AN.0.9
- Or the procedure or test was decided on at this visit, after assessing the problem the patient came in with, not booked from an earlier visit GN.14.36
- A second consultation on the same day only if it isn’t a continuation of the first and both are clinically relevant and distinct AN.0.9
- Bulk billed: the benefit is full payment, with no extra charges for the service (such as consumables, booking or record fees); the one exception, for face-to-face GP and non-specialist consult items, is a vaccine from your own supply that isn’t free to the patient GN.7.17
- A resident seen in consulting rooms within their aged care facility’s complex is billed with the aged care items, not these rooms items AN.0.15
- Not for a service another item covers: bill the more specific item Item 36
Billing item 36 with other items
Can’t be billed with item 36
- Acupuncture (items 197, 193, 195, and 199)
- Includes any consultation at the same visit (whatever it was for), and any other attendance that day for the condition treated with acupuncture: neither is billed separately (a separate attendance later that day for a different problem can be) AN.0.29
- Burns dressing (all 9 items, including 30003, 30006, 30007, 30010, 30014, and 30015)
- Nasal cautery or packing (nosebleeds) (item 41674)
- The septum and turbinate cautery includes any consultation on the same occasion, so a consultation then isn't billed separately Item 41674
- Fracture treatment (cast, splint, sling, or closed reduction) (items 47471 and 47735)
- No consultation on the same occasion: it counts at each visit treating the fracture, and that visit is its own GN.14.36
- Gastric band adjustment (item 31587)
- Includes any consultation on the same occasion: no consult item is billed beside the band adjustment Item 31587
- No consult on the same occasion: the band adjustment includes any associated consultation GN.14.36
- GP chronic condition management plan (care plan) (items 965, 92029, 392, and 92060)
- Care plan review (GP chronic condition management plan) (items 967, 393, 92030, and 92061)
- Antenatal visit with a practice nurse, midwife, or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioner (items 16400, 91850, and 91855)
- Varicose vein sclerotherapy (item 32500)
- Includes the associated consultation: no separate consultation paid at the same visit GN.14.36
- Includes the consultation that goes with the sclerotherapy, so a consultation about the veins at the same visit isn't billed as well Item 32500
Only in some cases with item 36
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health check (items 715, 92004, 228, and 92011)
- A separate consult (general attendance) with the assessment only if clinically necessary, as a distinct service meeting its own requirements; the doctor confirms it was AN.0.43
- 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) (item 11607)
- A separate consultation on the same day only if a separate problem must be treated then; annotate that consultation’s invoice DN.1.35
- Antenatal check (items 16500, 16406, 91853, and 91858)
- A general consultation the same day only for a problem not directly related to the pregnancy TN.4.15
- A consultation the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the antenatal attendance AN.0.9
- In the antenatal period, pregnancy care is an antenatal attendance, not a general consultation (Category 1). A general consultation is still paid for the visit that diagnoses the pregnancy and for a problem not directly related to it TN.4.3
- Antenatal CTG (item 16514)
- A general consultation the same day only for a problem not directly related to the pregnancy (pregnancy care is an antenatal attendance) TN.4.3
- Vaccine given by an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioner (item 10988)
- A consult on the same day if the vaccine is a separate, clinically relevant service with no duplication MN.12.1
- Wound care by an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioner (item 10989)
- A consultation the doctor gives the patient themselves can also be billed, when it is distinct from the wound care MN.12.2
- Eating disorder plan review (items 90264, 90265, 92170, 92176, 92171, and 92177)
- The review covers the consultation about the eating disorder at the same visit; a separate consultation only for an unrelated condition, annotated as clinically required AN.36.3
- Eating disorder treatment and management plan (EDTMP) (all 16 items, including 90250, 90251, 90252, 90253, 90254, and 90255)
- The plan covers the consultation about the eating disorder at the same visit; a separate consultation only for an unrelated condition, annotated as clinically required AN.36.2
- 12-lead ECG (items 11707 and 11714)
- Nasal cautery or packing (nosebleeds) (items 41656 and 41677)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from stopping the nosebleed AN.0.9
- The septum and turbinate cautery includes any consultation on the same occasion, so a consultation then isn't billed separately Item 41674
- Fracture treatment (cast, splint, sling, or closed reduction) (29 of 31 items, including 47301, 47304, 47348, 47354, 47361, and 47362)
- Mental health treatment plan (MHTP) (all 16 items, including 2715, 2700, 2701, 2717, 272, and 276)
- Health assessment (75+, aged care, and other target groups) (all 8 items, including 701, 703, 705, 707, 224, and 225)
- A separate consult (general attendance) with the assessment only if clinically necessary; the doctor confirms it was AN.0.36
- Heart health check (items 699 and 177)
- A separate consult (general attendance) only for an acute problem that needs managing separately from the assessment; the doctor confirms it was AN.14.2
- Medication management review (HMR or RMMR) (items 900, 903, 245, and 249)
- Menopause health assessment (menopause and perimenopause) (items 695 and 19000)
- A separate consultation (general attendance) with the assessment only if clinically necessary; the doctor confirms it was AN.14.3
- Practice nurse follow-up after a health check (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patient) (items 10987, 93200, and 93202)
- A consult on the same day if it is a distinct, clinically relevant service with no duplication MN.12.6
- Practice nurse service for a patient with a care plan (items 10997, 93201, and 93203)
- A consult on the same day if it is a distinct, clinically relevant service with no duplication MN.12.6
- Nurse or Aboriginal health worker support during a specialist video consult (item 10983)
- A consult on the same day if it is a distinct, clinically relevant service with no duplication MN.12.6
- Postnatal visit 1 to 4 weeks after a private birth (items 16408, 91852, and 91857)
- A consultation the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the postnatal attendance AN.0.9
- A general consultation (home visit, video, or phone) also fits this attendance. This item is for an attendance no other item applies to, while the general attendance note keeps general consultations for when more specific items don't apply; with each deferring to the other, the doctor picks Item 16408
- Postnatal check at 4 to 8 weeks (items 16407, 91851, and 91856)
- A consultation the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the postnatal check AN.0.9
- A general consultation also fits this attendance. This check is for an attendance no other item applies to, while the general attendance note keeps general consultations for when more specific items don't apply; with each deferring to the other, the doctor picks Item 16407
- Pregnancy test in the rooms (items 73527, 73806, and 73833)
- Urine microscopy in the rooms (items 73805 and 73832)
- Prolonged attendance on a patient in imminent danger of death (all 10 items, including 160, 161, 162, 163, 164, and 214)
- An attendance of an hour or more also fits a 60-minute-plus (Level E) general consultation, and both kinds of item say they’re for a service no other item covers, so neither wins by the text: the doctor picks one (the prolonged attendance only when the patient was in imminent danger of death) Item 160
- Skin or mucous membrane biopsy (items 30071, 30072, and 35615)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the biopsy AN.0.9
- The biopsy is billed with its own item, not as a consult. A consult goes with it when you assessed the problem and decided on the biopsy at this visit, or managed something else: not for consent, doing the biopsy, or giving its result AN.0.9
- Patient-end support for a specialist video consultation (all 32 items, including 2484, 2487, 2490, 2493, 373, and 376)
- A separate consultation by the same doctor the same day only if it isn’t a continuation of the support attendance (give the times of each on the account); the doctor confirms it was separate AN.0.79
- Urgent after-hours attendance (all 8 items, including 585, 599, 594, 92210, 588, and 591)
- An urgent after-hours attendance that meets the urgent items’ conditions is billed with those: the after-hours consultation items are for non-urgent consultations AN.0.19
97 more services, each by the same MBS rule (AN.0.9): A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct.
Show the 97 services
- Accessory nipple excision (item 31566)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the excision AN.0.9
- Anal skin tag or polyp excision (item 32235)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the excision AN.0.9
- Audiometry (audiogram) (all 5 items, including 11306, 11309, and 11312)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the audiometry AN.0.9
- Bartholin's cyst or abscess marsupialisation (item 35517)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the marsupialisation AN.0.9
- Bladder catheterisation (item 36800)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the catheterisation AN.0.9
- Blood count tests in the rooms (5 of 8 items, including 65060, 65070, and 73802)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the tests AN.0.9
- Removal of buried wires, pins, or screws (items 47924 and 47927)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the removal AN.0.9
- Cancer case conference (multidisciplinary team meeting) (all 4 items, including 243, 244, and 871)
- A consultation the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the case conference AN.0.9
- Carpal tunnel release (item 39331)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the release AN.0.9
- Cervical biopsy, cautery, or ablation (items 35608 and 35644)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the ablation AN.0.9
- Cervical or vaginal polyp removal (item 35611)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the polyp removal AN.0.9
- Chalazion removal (tarsal cyst) (item 42575)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the chalazion removal AN.0.9
- Circumcision (items 30654 and 30658)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the circumcision AN.0.9
- Colposcopy (item 35614)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the colposcopy AN.0.9
- Contraceptive implant removal (item 30062)
- A consultation the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the removal AN.0.9
- Biopsy of a lymph node, muscle, or deep tissue (item 30075)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the biopsy AN.0.9
- Diabetic eye check with a retinal camera (items 12325 and 12326)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the eye check AN.0.9
- Ultrasound scan done in the practice (all 56 items, including 55032, 55033, and 55036)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the ultrasound AN.0.9
- Dislocation reduction (closed) (all 13 items, including 47003, 47009, and 47015)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the treatment AN.0.9
- Needle fasciotomy for Dupuytren's contracture (item 46370)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the fasciotomy AN.0.9
- Ear microscopy or endoscopy (including microsuction) (item 41647)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the ear microscopy AN.0.9
- Eating disorder psychological treatment (EDPT) session (all 16 items, including 90271, 90273, and 90272)
- A consultation the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the therapy session AN.0.9
- Eligible disability treatment and management plan (under 25) (all 4 items, including 139, 137, and 92142)
- A consultation the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the plan attendance; its time isn’t counted in the plan AN.0.9
- Endometrial biopsy (pipelle) (item 35620)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the biopsy AN.0.9
- Extensor tendon repair (items 46420 and 47954)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the repair AN.0.9
- Faecal occult blood test in the rooms (item 73809)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the test AN.0.9
- Family group therapy (all 6 items, including 170, 171, and 172)
- A consultation the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the family therapy session AN.0.9
- Flap revision (item 45239)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the flap revision AN.0.9
- Focussed psychological strategies (FPS) session (all 32 items, including 2721, 2725, and 2739)
- A consult on the same day only if both are clinically relevant and distinct AN.0.9
- Foreign body removal (all 6 items, including 30061, 30064, and 30068)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the removal AN.0.9
- Full-thickness laceration repair (ear, eyelid, nose, or lip) (item 30052)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the repair AN.0.9
- Fungal microscopy of skin, hair, or nails in the rooms (item 73810)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the test AN.0.9
- Ganglion excision (all 4 items, including 30107, 46498, and 46500)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the excision AN.0.9
- Gastrostomy button or stoma device change (10 or over) (item 30483)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the device change AN.0.9
- Gastrostomy button or stoma device change (under 10) (item 30636)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the device change AN.0.9
- Gram stain microscopy in the rooms (item 73808)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the test AN.0.9
- Haematoma aspiration (item 30216)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the aspiration AN.0.9
- Haemorrhoid banding, injection, or coagulation (item 32135)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the haemorrhoid treatment AN.0.9
- Hormone implant insertion (e.g. Implanon) (items 14203 and 14206)
- A consultation the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the implant AN.0.9
- Hydrocele tapping (aspiration) (item 30628)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the tapping AN.0.9
- Accessing a port or long-term line (flush, bloods, or drugs) (item 14221)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from accessing the port or line AN.0.9
- Incision and drainage (abscess, boil, haematoma) (all 8 items, including 30219, 30223, and 32147)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the drainage AN.0.9
- Partial nail resection with phenol (ingrowing nail) (items 46531 and 47916)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the nail resection AN.0.9
- Wedge resection for an ingrowing nail (items 46528 and 47915)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the wedge resection AN.0.9
- Intralesional steroid injection (keloid or other skin lesions) (items 30207 and 30210)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the injections AN.0.9
- IUD insertion (item 35503)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the insertion AN.0.9
- Ankle-brachial index (or wrist-brachial index) with waveform analysis (items 11610 and 11611)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the wrist-brachial index AN.0.9
- Mantoux test (item 73811)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the test AN.0.9
- Mental health case conference (all 12 items, including 930, 933, and 935)
- A consultation the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the case conference AN.0.9
- Mucosal lesion excision (all 6 items, including 31206, 31211, and 31216)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the excision AN.0.9
- Contribution to a multidisciplinary care plan (aged care facility or hospital plan) (all 8 items, including 729, 731, and 92026)
- A consultation the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the contribution AN.0.9
- Multidisciplinary case conference (all 12 items, including 735, 739, and 743)
- A consultation the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the case conference AN.0.9
- Excision of four or more small lesions (items 31220, 31221, and 31225)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the excisions AN.0.9
- Complete nail matrix ablation (items 46534 and 47918)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the matrix ablation AN.0.9
- Nail removal (avulsion) (items 46513, 47904, and 47906)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the nail removal AN.0.9
- Nipple or areola tattooing (item 45546)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the tattooing AN.0.9
- Patch testing for allergic dermatitis (items 12012 and 12017)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the patch testing AN.0.9
- Penile frenuloplasty (item 37435)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the frenuloplasty AN.0.9
- Penile injection for erectile dysfunction (item 37415)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the injection AN.0.9
- Plain X-ray taken in the practice (all 37 items, including 57506, 57509, and 57512)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the X-ray AN.0.9
- Poly-L-lactic acid facial injections for HIV lipoatrophy (items 14201 and 14202)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the injections AN.0.9
- Point-of-care HbA1c for known diabetes (4 of 5 items, including 66551, 66554, and 73812)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the test AN.0.9
- Blood gas analysis in the practice's lab (items 66566 and 66569)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the tests AN.0.9
- Troponin or cardiac marker test in the practice's lab (items 66518 and 66519)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the tests AN.0.9
- Blood chemistry tests in the practice's lab (all 5 items, including 66500, 66503, and 66506)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the tests AN.0.9
- Clotting test (such as INR) in the practice's lab (items 65120 and 65123)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the tests AN.0.9
- HDL cholesterol in the practice's lab (item 66536)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the test AN.0.9
- Pregnancy planning and management visit (after 28 weeks) (items 16590 and 16591)
- A consultation the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the planning visit AN.0.9
- Pregnancy support counselling (all 6 items, including 4001, 792, and 92136)
- A consult on the same day only if both are clinically relevant and distinct AN.0.9
- Pregnancy ultrasound done in the practice (all 14 items, including 55700, 55703, and 55704)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the pregnancy scan AN.0.9
- QAAMS HbA1c to diagnose diabetes (items 66841 and 73839)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the test AN.0.9
- QAAMS urine albumin/creatinine ratio (items 66560 and 73844)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the test AN.0.9
- Ranula or mucous cyst removal (mouth) (item 30283)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the removal AN.0.9
- Rigid sigmoidoscopy (items 32072 and 32075)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the sigmoidoscopy AN.0.9
- Semen check for sperm in the rooms (item 73801)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the test AN.0.9
- Sinus excision (skin sinus track) (items 30099 and 30103)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the excision AN.0.9
- Muscle, bone, or cartilage excision with a skin cancer (item 31340)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the excision AN.0.9
- Skin flap repair (all 6 items, including 45200, 45201, and 45202)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the flap repair AN.0.9
- Skin graft (split or full thickness) (items 45440, 45443, and 45451)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the graft AN.0.9
- Skin lesion destruction (freezing, curette, cautery, laser) (all 10 items, including 30187, 30189, and 30190)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the treatment AN.0.9
- Skin lesion excision (all 32 items, including 31363, 31366, and 31250)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the excision AN.0.9
- Skin prick testing for airborne allergens (items 12001 and 12002)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the skin prick testing AN.0.9
- Lump excision (lipoma, cyst, or soft tissue tumour) (all 6 items, including 30611, 31227, and 31344)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the excision AN.0.9
- Spirometry (items 11505 and 11506)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the spirometry AN.0.9
- Therapeutic venesection (item 13757)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the venesection: a consult isn't charged with every venesection AN.0.9
- Tongue tie or lip tie release (items 30278 and 30281)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the release AN.0.9
- Trigger finger release (item 46363)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the release AN.0.9
- Tympanometry (impedance audiogram) (item 11324)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the tympanometry AN.0.9
- Vascular anomaly excision (pyogenic granuloma, haemangioma, or vascular malformation) (items 45030 and 45045)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the excision AN.0.9
- Vasectomy (item 37623)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the vasectomy AN.0.9
- Venous Doppler test for reflux or blockage (item 11602)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the venous Doppler AN.0.9
- Vermilionectomy (lip shave) (items 45668 and 45669)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the vermilionectomy AN.0.9
- Wedge excision of the lip, eyelid, or ear (item 45665)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the wedge excision AN.0.9
- Wet film microscopy in the rooms (item 73807)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the test AN.0.9
- Wound debridement (items 30023 and 30024)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the debridement AN.0.9
- Wound repair (laceration repair) (all 8 items, including 30026, 30029, and 30032)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the repair AN.0.9
- Foreign body localisation on X-ray (item 59103)
- A consult on the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct from the X-ray AN.0.9
Bulk-billing incentive
An extra payment when a doctor bulk bills an unreferred service. With item 36, one of these:
| Item | What it is | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| 75870 | Bulk billing incentive, Level B–E consults (MM1 practice) | $26.35 |
| 75871 | Bulk billing incentive, Level B–E consults (MM2 practice) | $40.10 |
| 75873 | Bulk billing incentive, Level B–E consults (MM3–4 practice) | $42.60 |
| 75874 | Bulk billing incentive, Level B–E consults (MM5 practice) | $45.30 |
| 75875 | Bulk billing incentive, Level B–E consults (MM6 practice) | $47.80 |
| 75876 | Bulk billing incentive, Level B–E consults (MM7 practice) | $50.75 |
Other versions
General consultation has 153 items. The closest to item 36:
| Item | What it is | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| 23 | GP Level B consult in rooms (6 to under 20 min) | $45.05 |
| 3 | GP Level A consult in rooms (brief, straightforward) | $20.55 |
| 44 | GP Level D consult in rooms (40 min or more) | $128.35 |
| 123 | GP Level E consult in rooms (60 min or more) | $207.90 |
| 5040 | GP after-hours rooms consult, 20+ min (Level C) | $100.55 |
| 52 | Non-GP doctor consult in rooms (5 min or less) | $11.00 |
| 53 | Non-GP doctor consult in rooms (over 5 up to 25 min) | $21.00 |
| 54 | Non-GP doctor consult in rooms (over 25 up to 45 min) | $38.00 |
All 153 versions, by MBS group
Group A1 General Practitioner Attendances To Which No Other Item Applies
Group A2 Other Non-Referred Attendances To Which No Other Item Applies › Subgroup 1 Other Medical Practitioner Attendances
Group A7 Acupuncture and Non-Specialist Practitioner Items › Subgroup 2 Prescribed medical practitioner attendance to which no other item applies
Group A7 Acupuncture and Non-Specialist Practitioner Items › Subgroup 10 Prescribed Medical Practitioner after‑hours attendances to which no other item applies
733 · 737 · 741 · 745 · 761 · 763 · 766 · 769 · 772 · 776 · 788 · 789 · 2197 · 2198 · 2200
Group A22 General Practitioner After-Hours Attendances To Which No Other Item Applies
5000 · 5003 · 5010 · 5020 · 5023 · 5028 · 5040 · 5043 · 5049 · 5060 · 5063 · 5067 · 5071 · 5076 · 5077
Group A23 Other Non-Referred After-Hours Attendances To Which No Other Item Applies
5200 · 5203 · 5207 · 5208 · 5209 · 5220 · 5223 · 5227 · 5228 · 5260 · 5261 · 5262 · 5263 · 5265 · 5267
Group A35 Services For Patients in Residential Aged Care Facilities › Subgroup 2 General Practitioner Non-Referred Attendance At A Residential Aged Care Facility
Group A35 Services For Patients in Residential Aged Care Facilities › Subgroup 3 Other Medical Practitioner Non-Referred Attendance At A Residential Aged Care Facility
Group A35 Services For Patients in Residential Aged Care Facilities › Subgroup 4 Non-Specialist Practitioner Non-Referred Attendance At A Residential Aged Care Facility
Group M18 Allied Health and other primary health care telehealth services › Subgroup 5 Nurse practitioner video services
Group M18 Allied Health and other primary health care telehealth services › Subgroup 10 Nurse practitioner phone services
Group A40 Telehealth attendance services › Subgroup 1 General practice video services
91790 · 91792 · 91794 · 91800 · 91801 · 91802 · 91803 · 91804 · 91805 · 91806 · 91807 · 91808 · 91920 · 91923 · 91926
Group A40 Telehealth attendance services › Subgroup 2 General practice phone services
91890 · 91891 · 91892 · 91893 · 91900 · 91903 · 91906 · 91910 · 91913 · 91916
Common questions
- What is the fee for MBS item 36?
- The schedule fee is $87.10, and the Medicare benefit is 100% of it ($87.10). That’s under the MBS in force from 1 August 2026.
- How many minutes is item 36?
- At least 20 minutes with the patient.
- Can item 36 be done by video or phone?
- No. Face to face (video and phone consults have their own items).
- Who can bill item 36?
- Billed by a GP (vocationally recognised, or a GP registrar on an approved placement).
- What hours does item 36 cover?
- In business hours for consulting rooms: started on a weekday from 8am to 8pm, or a Saturday from 8am to 1pm, not a public holiday.
- Can you bill 36 and 965 together?
- No. Not with preparing or reviewing a GP chronic condition management plan by the same practitioner for the same patient on the same day. (Source: MBS AN.0.47.)
- Can you bill 36 and 967 together?
- No. Not with preparing or reviewing a GP chronic condition management plan by the same practitioner for the same patient on the same day. (Source: MBS AN.0.47.)
- Can you bill 36 and 715 together?
- Only in some cases. A separate consult on the same day only if clinically necessary, as a distinct service. (Source: MBS AN.0.43.)
- Can you bill 36 and 2715 together?
- Only in some cases. Another attendance the same day only if both are clinically relevant and distinct; its time isn't counted in the plan. (Source: MBS AN.0.56.)
- Can you bill 36 and 701 together?
- Only in some cases. A separate consult on the same day only if clinically necessary. (Source: MBS AN.0.36.)
- Can you bill 36 and 699 together?
- Only in some cases. A separate consult on the same day only for an acute problem that needs managing separately from the assessment. (Source: MBS AN.14.2.)
- Can you bill 36 and 900 together?
- Only in some cases. A consultation the same day only if clinically relevant and distinct: one solely about the review is part of it. (Source: MBS AN.0.52.)
- Can you bill 36 and 695 together?
- Only in some cases. A separate consultation the same day only if clinically necessary. (Source: MBS AN.14.3.)
- What can’t item 36 be billed with?
- The MBS has a rule against billing item 36 with these: acupuncture, burns dressing, nasal cautery or packing (nosebleeds), fracture treatment (cast, splint, sling, or closed reduction), gastric band adjustment, GP chronic condition management plan (care plan), care plan review (GP chronic condition management plan), antenatal visit with a practice nurse, midwife, or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioner, and varicose vein sclerotherapy. Each rule and its source is on this page.
- Can item 36 be billed with a bulk-billing incentive?
- Yes. An extra payment when a doctor bulk bills an unreferred service. The items are 75870, 75871, 75873, 75874, 75875, and 75876.
Sources
- Item 36: Group A1 General Practitioner Attendances To Which No Other Item Applies
- Note AN.0.9: Using time-tiered professional (general) attendance items
- Note GN.14.36: Consultation and procedures rendered at the one attendance
- Note GN.7.17: Billing procedures
- Note AN.0.15: After hours Residential Aged Care Facility Attendances (Items 772, 776, 788, 789, 2200, 5010, 5028, 5049, 5067, 5077, 5260, 5262, 5263, 5265, 5267)
- Note AN.0.43: Health assessments for persons of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent (MBS Items 715, 228, 92004, 92011)
- Note AN.0.29: Acupuncture (Item 193, 195, 197 and 199)
- Note DN.1.35: Treatment plan guidelines and additional claiming guidelines for ambulatory blood pressure monitoring
- Note TN.4.15: Obstetric MBS Telehealth (video and phone) attendance items
- Note TN.4.3: Antenatal Care - (Item 16500)
- Note MN.12.1: Immunisation services provided by an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioner on behalf of a medical practitioner - (MBS Item 10988)
- Note MN.12.2: Wound management services provided by an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioner on behalf of a medical practitioner (MBS Item 10989)
- Note AN.36.3: Eating Disorders Treatment and Management Plan Reviews
- Note AN.36.2: Eating Disorders Treatment and Management Plans Explanatory Notes
- Note DR.1.4: 12-lead electrocardiography requirements for claiming
- Item 41674: Group T8 Surgical Operations › Subgroup 8 Ear, Nose And Throat
- Item 31587: Group T8 Surgical Operations › Subgroup 1 General
- Note AN.0.47: GP chronic condition management plans (MBS items 392, 393, 965, 967, 92029, 92030, 92060, 92061)
- Note AN.0.56: GP Mental Health Treatment Plans and Consultation
- Note AN.0.36: Time-Tiered Health Assessments (Items 701, 703, 705, 707, 224, 225, 226, 227)
- Note AN.14.2: Heart health assessment provided by general practitioners and prescribed medical practitioners
- Note AN.7.18: Residential Medication Management Reviews (MBS items 249 and 903)
- Note AN.0.52: Domiciliary Medication Management Reviews (MBS items 245 and 900)
- Note AN.14.3: Menopause and Perimenopause Health Assessments (MBS items 695 and 19000)
- Note TN.4.1: Antenatal Service Provided by a Nurse, Midwife or an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioner - (Item 16400)
- Note MN.12.6: Services provided on behalf of a medical practitioner by a practice nurse and/or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander primary health care professionals (MBS Items 10983, 10987, 10988, 10989, 10997, 93200, 93201, 93202, 93203)
- Item 16408: Group T4 Obstetrics
- Item 16407: Group T4 Obstetrics
- Note MN.14.17: Items for Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptive Services
- Item 160: Group A5 Prolonged Attendances To Which No Other Item Applies
- Note AN.0.79: Patient end support (PES) items for GPs, Prescribed Medical Practitioners (PMP) and Nurse practitioners (NP)
- Note AN.0.19: After-Hours Attendances (Items 585, 588, 591, 594, 599, 600, 5000, 5003, 5010, 5020, 5023, 5028, 5040, 5043, 5049, 5060, 5063, 5067, 5071, 5076, 5077, 5200, 5203, 5207, 5208, 5209, 5220, 5223, 5227, 5228, 5260, 5261, 5262, 5263, 5265 and 5267)
- Item 32500: Group T8 Surgical Operations › Subgroup 3 Vascular
- Item 5003: Group A22 General Practitioner After-Hours Attendances To Which No Other Item Applies
- Item 90096: Group A35 Services For Patients in Residential Aged Care Facilities › Subgroup 3 Other Medical Practitioner Non-Referred Attendance At A Residential Aged Care Facility
- Item 3: Group A1 General Practitioner Attendances To Which No Other Item Applies
- Note MN.14.7: Where Medicare Benefits are not payable
- Note MN.14.12: Overview of the Nurse Practitioner items
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