MBS item 32523 ===== Endovenous radiofrequency ablation of great or small saphenous vein with reflux ≥0.5 seconds and symptomatic venous insufficiency in one leg, including tributary management. Category 3 · Therapeutic procedures[Group T8 · subgroup 3](/groups/T8) Schedule fee$638.70 100% benefitGP, out of hospital— 85% benefitOut of hospital$542.90 75% benefitIn hospital$479.05 The schedule fee for MBS item 32523 is $638.70. Medicare pays $542.90 (85%) out of hospital, or $479.05 (75%) for a privately admitted patient in hospital. Fee effective 1 July 2026. Gap for what you charge ----------------------- Your fee$ Out of hospitalIn hospital (private) Medicare pays$542.90 Patient gap$95.80 Bulk billing means accepting $542.90 as full payment, with no gap and no extra charges. [Add incentives](/bulk-billing?item=32523) Extended Medicare Safety Net cap: $95.81 (15% of the schedule fee). Once a patient reaches the EMSN threshold, the extra benefit for this item is 80% of their out-of-pocket cost, but no more than this cap. [How safety nets work](/guides/medicare-safety-nets) Item descriptor --------------- Varicose veins, abolition of venous reflux by occlusion of a primary or recurrent great or small saphenous vein (and major tributaries of saphenous veins as necessary) in one leg of a patient, using a radiofrequency catheter introduced by an endovenous catheter, if all of the following apply: (a) it is documented by duplex ultrasound that the great or small saphenous vein (whichever is to be treated) demonstrates reflux of 0.5 seconds or longer; (b) the patient has significant signs or symptoms (including one or more of the following signs or symptoms) attributable to venous reflux: (i) ache; (ii) pain; (iii) tightness; (iv) skin irritation; (v) heaviness; (vi) muscle cramps; (vii) limb swelling; (viii) discolouration; (ix) discomfort; (x) any other signs or symptoms attributable to venous dysfunction; (c) the service does not include endovenous laser therapy or cyanoacrylate adhesive; (d) the service is not associated with a service (on the same leg) to which any of the following items apply: (i) 32500 to 32507; (ii) 35200; (iii) 59970 to 60021; (iv) 60036 to 60045; (v) 60060 to 60078; (vi) 60500 to 60509; (vii) 61109 The service includes all preparation and immediate clinical aftercare (including excision or injection of either tributaries or incompetent perforating veins, or both) (Anaes.) [Explanatory notes and rules on MBS Online ↗](https://www9.health.gov.au/mbs/fullDisplay.cfm?type=item&q=32523) Health fund and DVA rates ------------------------- 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=32523) before billing. This is a reference tool, not billing or financial advice.