MBS item 10944 ===== Optometrist removal of embedded corneal foreign body (including rust ring) with referral to ophthalmologist if not fully removed after second attempt; maximum once daily. Category 1 · Professional attendances[Group A10 · subgroup 1](/groups/A10) Schedule fee$86.35 100% benefitGP, out of hospital— 85% benefitOut of hospital$73.40 75% benefitIn hospital— The schedule fee for MBS item 10944 is $86.35. Medicare pays $73.40 (85%) out of hospital. Fee effective 1 July 2026. Gap for what you charge ----------------------- Your fee$ Out of hospital Medicare pays$73.40 Patient gap$12.95 Bulk billing means accepting $73.40 as full payment, with no gap and no extra charges. [Add incentives](/bulk-billing?item=10944) Extended Medicare Safety Net cap: $259.05 (300% of the schedule fee, up to $500.00). Once a patient reaches the EMSN threshold, the extra benefit for this item is 80% of their out-of-pocket cost, but no more than this cap. [How safety nets work](/guides/medicare-safety-nets) Item descriptor --------------- Complete removal of embedded foreign body (including a rust ring, if present) from the cornea—not more than once on the same day by the same optometrist (excluding after care). Only claimable when either fully removed, or if the patient is referred to an Ophthalmologist or other appropriately qualified practitioner for further assessment and management after second attendance results in partial removalOther than a service associated with a service to which items 10905, 10907, 10910, 10911, 10913, 10914, 10915, 10916 or 10918 applies [Explanatory notes and rules on MBS Online ↗](https://www9.health.gov.au/mbs/fullDisplay.cfm?type=item&q=10944) Guides ------ - [How Medicare benefits work: schedule fees, 75%, 85% and 100%](/guides/how-medicare-benefits-work) - [Medicare safety nets explained: original and extended (EMSN) thresholds for 2026](/guides/medicare-safety-nets) - [In-hospital billing: the 75% benefit, the 25% fund benefit, and no-gap and known-gap schemes](/guides/in-hospital-billing-and-gap-cover) - [Bulk billing incentives and BBPIP explained: 2026 amounts by MM area](/guides/bulk-billing-incentives) - [The MBS multiple operation rule and surgical assistant fees](/guides/multiple-operation-rule) - [Assignment of benefit for bulk billing: the changes from 1 July 2026](/guides/assignment-of-benefit-2026) - [MBS telehealth rules: the eligible telehealth practitioner and phone items](/guides/mbs-telehealth-rules) - [GP chronic condition management plans: items 965 and 967 explained](/guides/chronic-condition-management-plans) - [Medicare billing compliance: claim time limits, records and the 80/20 rule](/guides/medicare-billing-compliance) Data source: [Australian Government Medicare Benefits Schedule](https://www.mbsonline.gov.au/) · Record updated 1 September 2026. Health fund rates come from each fund's published schedule. Verify item descriptors, rules and fees on [MBS Online](https://www9.health.gov.au/mbs/fullDisplay.cfm?type=item&q=10944) before billing. This is a reference tool, not billing or financial advice.