MBS item

38288
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Insertion of an implantable loop recorder in patients with embolic stroke of undetermined source to diagnose atrial fibrillation, after comprehensive cardiac and neurological investigation, when AF is suspected and anticoagulation status is uncertain…

Category 3 · Therapeutic procedures[Group T8 · subgroup 6](/groups/T8)

Schedule fee$230.95

100% benefitGP, out of hospital—

85% benefitOut of hospital$196.35

75% benefitIn hospital$173.25

The schedule fee for MBS item 38288 is $230.95. Medicare pays $196.35 (85%) out of hospital, or $173.25 (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$196.35

Patient gap$34.60

Bulk billing means accepting $196.35 as full payment, with no gap and no extra charges. [Add incentives](/bulk-billing?item=38288)

Item descriptor
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Implantable loop recorder, insertion of, for diagnosis of atrial fibrillation, if: (a) the patient to whom the service is provided has been diagnosed as having had an embolic stroke of undetermined source; and (b) the bases of the diagnosis included the following: (i) the medical history of the patient; (ii) physical examination; (iii) brain and carotid imaging; (iv) cardiac imaging; (v) surface ECG testing including 24‑hour Holter monitoring; and (c) atrial fibrillation is suspected; and (d) the patient: (i) does not have a permanent indication for oral anticoagulants; or (ii) does not have a permanent oral anticoagulants contraindication; including initial programming and testing (Anaes.)

[Explanatory notes and rules on MBS Online ↗](https://www9.health.gov.au/mbs/fullDisplay.cfm?type=item&q=38288)

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

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Guides
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- [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=38288) before billing. This is a reference tool, not billing or financial advice.