MBS item

14218
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Refilling the reservoir of an implanted infusion pump delivering therapeutic agents to the subarachnoid space, or accessing the side port to check catheter function, with optional reprogramming, for chronic or cancer pain management.

Category 3 · Therapeutic procedures[Group T1 · subgroup 13](/groups/T1)

Schedule fee$117.25

100% benefitGP, out of hospital—

85% benefitOut of hospital$99.70

75% benefitIn hospital$87.95

The schedule fee for MBS item 14218 is $117.25. Medicare pays $99.70 (85%) out of hospital, or $87.95 (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$99.70

Patient gap$17.55

Bulk billing means accepting $99.70 as full payment, with no gap and no extra charges. [Add incentives](/bulk-billing?item=14218)

Item descriptor
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Implanted infusion pump, refilling of reservoir with a therapeutic agent or agents for infusion to the subarachnoid space or accessing the side port to assess catheter patency, with or without pump reprogramming, for the management of chronic pain, including cancer pain

[Explanatory notes and rules on MBS Online ↗](https://www9.health.gov.au/mbs/fullDisplay.cfm?type=item&q=14218)

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

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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=14218) before billing. This is a reference tool, not billing or financial advice.