MBS item

12533
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Specialist-performed urea breath test using carbon-13 or carbon-14 to confirm or monitor Helicobacter pylori infection in peptic ulcer disease patients.

Category 2 · Diagnostic procedures and investigations[Group D2](/groups/D2)

Schedule fee$101.25

100% benefitGP, out of hospital—

85% benefitOut of hospital$86.10

75% benefitIn hospital$75.95

The schedule fee for MBS item 12533 is $101.25. Medicare pays $86.10 (85%) out of hospital, or $75.95 (75%) for a privately admitted patient in hospital. Fee effective 1 July 2026.

Gap for what you charge
-----------------------

Your fee$

Out of hospitalIn hospital (private)

Medicare pays$86.10

Patient gap$15.15

Bulk billing means accepting $86.10 as full payment, with no gap and no extra charges. [Add incentives](/bulk-billing?item=12533)

Item descriptor
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CARBON-LABELLED UREA BREATH TEST using oral C-13 or C-14 urea, performed by a specialist or consultant physician, including the measurement of exhaled 13CO2 or 14CO2, for either: - (a)the confirmation of Helicobacter pylori colonisation, OR (b)the monitoring of the success of eradication of Helicobacter pylori in patients with peptic ulcer disease. not being a service to which 66900 applies

[Explanatory notes and rules on MBS Online ↗](https://www9.health.gov.au/mbs/fullDisplay.cfm?type=item&q=12533)

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

StateNSWVICQLDSAWATASACTNT

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=12533) before billing. This is a reference tool, not billing or financial advice.