MBS item

31438
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Comprehensive dissection of all five lymph node levels on one side of the neck while preserving the internal jugular vein, sternocleidomastoid muscle, or spinal accessory nerve, excluding cases already covered under related procedures.

Category 3 · Therapeutic procedures[Group T8 · subgroup 1](/groups/T8)In hospital only (H)

Schedule fee$1,867.35

100% benefitGP, out of hospital—

85% benefitOut of hospital—

75% benefitIn hospital$1,400.55

The schedule fee for MBS item 31438 is $1,867.35. Medicare pays $1,400.55 (75%) for a privately admitted patient in hospital. Fee effective 1 July 2026.

Gap for what you charge
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Your fee$

In hospital (private)

Medicare pays$1,400.55

Fund pays (minimum)$466.80

Patient gap$0.00

Assumes a privately admitted patient whose hospital cover includes this service. The fund must pay at least 25% of the schedule fee. Pick a fund rate below to see its no-gap or known-gap split.

Item descriptor
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Lymph nodes of neck, comprehensive dissection of all 5 lymph node levels on one side of the neck with preservation of one or more of: internal jugular vein, sternocleido-mastoid muscle, or spinal accessory nerve, other than a service associated with a service to which item 30256 or 30275 applies on the same side (H) (Anaes.) (Assist.)

[Explanatory notes and rules on MBS Online ↗](https://www9.health.gov.au/mbs/fullDisplay.cfm?type=item&q=31438)

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=31438) before billing. This is a reference tool, not billing or financial advice.