MBS item

12254
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Multiple sleep latency test for adults with unexplained hypersomnolence, following overnight sleep study and daytime nap assessment, performed and interpreted by a qualified sleep medicine practitioner to confirm central hypersomnolence disorder or p…

Category 2 · Diagnostic procedures and investigations[Group D1 · subgroup 10](/groups/D1)

Schedule fee$1,093.55

100% benefitGP, out of hospital—

85% benefitOut of hospital$989.05

75% benefitIn hospital$820.20

The schedule fee for MBS item 12254 is $1,093.55. Medicare pays $989.05 (85%) out of hospital, or $820.20 (75%) for a privately admitted patient in hospital. Fee effective 1 July 2026.

Gap for what you charge
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Your fee$

Out of hospitalIn hospital (private)

Medicare pays$989.05

Patient gap$104.50

Bulk billing means accepting $989.05 as full payment, with no gap and no extra charges. [Add incentives](/bulk-billing?item=12254)

Item descriptor
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Multiple sleep latency test for the assessment of unexplained hypersomnolence in a patient aged 18 years or more, if: (a) a qualified adult sleep medicine practitioner or neurologist determines that testing is necessary to confirm the diagnosis of a central disorder of hypersomnolence or to determine whether the eligibility criteria under the pharmaceutical benefits scheme for drugs relevant to treat that condition are met; and (b) an overnight diagnostic assessment of sleep is performed for at least 8 hours, with continuous monitoring and recording, in accordance with current professional guidelines, of the following measures: (i) airflow; (ii) continuous EMG; (iii) anterior tibial EMG; (iv) continuous ECG; (v) continuous EEG; (vi) EOG; (vii) oxygen saturation; (viii) respiratory movement (chest and abdomen); (ix) position; and (c) immediately following the overnight investigation a daytime investigation is performed where at least 4 nap periods are conducted, during which there is continuous recording of EEG, EMG, EOG and ECG; and (d) a sleep technician is in continuous attendance under the supervision of a qualified adult sleep medicine practitioner; and (e) polygraphic records are: (i) analysed (for assessment of sleep stage, arousals, respiratory events, cardiac abnormalities and limb movements) with manual scoring, or manual correction of computerised scoring in epochs of not more than 1 minute; and (ii) stored for interpretation and preparation of a report; and (f) interpretation and preparation of a permanent report is provided by a qualified adult sleep medicine practitioner with personal direct review of raw data from the original recording of polygraphic data from the patient; and (g) the diagnostic assessment is not provided to the patient on the same occasion that a service described in item 11003, 12203, 12204, 12205, 12208, 12250 or 12258 is provided to the patient Applicable only once in a 12 month period

[Explanatory notes and rules on MBS Online ↗](https://www9.health.gov.au/mbs/fullDisplay.cfm?type=item&q=12254)

Health fund and DVA rates
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Total fee each scheme recognises for this item in hospital.

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Guides
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- [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=12254) before billing. This is a reference tool, not billing or financial advice.
