MBS item

15984
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Verification of brachytherapy applicator, needle, catheter or radioactive source position using 2D/3D imaging or in-vivo dosimetry to guide real-time adjustments before or during treatment.

Category 3 · Therapeutic procedures[Group T2 · subgroup 13](/groups/T2)

Schedule fee$156.45

100% benefitGP, out of hospital—

85% benefitOut of hospital$133.00

75% benefitIn hospital$117.35

The schedule fee for MBS item 15984 is $156.45. Medicare pays $133.00 (85%) out of hospital, or $117.35 (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$133.00

Patient gap$23.45

Bulk billing means accepting $133.00 as full payment, with no gap and no extra charges. [Add incentives](/bulk-billing?item=15984)

Item descriptor
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Verification of position of brachytherapy applicators, needles, catheters or radioactive sources, if: (a) a two‑dimensional or three‑dimensional volumetric image set, or a validated in‑vivo dosimetry measurement, is required to facilitate an adjustment to the applicators, needles, catheters or dosimetry plan; and (b) decisions using the acquired images are based on action algorithms and enacted immediately prior to, or during, treatment, where treatment is preceded by manipulation or adjustment of delivery applicator or adjustment of the dosimetry plan; and (c) the service is associated with a service to which any of the following items apply: (i) items 15958 to 15968; (ii) item 15982

[Explanatory notes and rules on MBS Online ↗](https://www9.health.gov.au/mbs/fullDisplay.cfm?type=item&q=15984)

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=15984) before billing. This is a reference tool, not billing or financial advice.