MBS item

38376
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Percutaneous insertion of a microaxial left ventricular assist device via arteriotomy for cardiogenic shock unresponsive to medical therapy, or for left ventricular unloading in patients on veno-arterial ECMO, including intraoperative imaging.

Category 3 · Therapeutic procedures[Group T8 · subgroup 6](/groups/T8)In hospital only (H)

Schedule fee$754.35

100% benefitGP, out of hospital—

85% benefitOut of hospital—

75% benefitIn hospital$565.80

The schedule fee for MBS item 38376 is $754.35. Medicare pays $565.80 (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$565.80

Fund pays (minimum)$188.55

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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Percutaneous insertion of an intravascular microaxial ventricular assist device, into the left ventricle only, by arteriotomy, including all associated intraoperative imaging performed by the same practitioner, if: (a) the patient has deteriorating symptoms of cardiogenic shock (with no evidence of significant anoxic neurological injury) that are not controlled by optimal medical therapy; or (b) the patient: (i) is on veno‑arterial extra‑corporeal membrane oxygenation, for deteriorating symptoms of cardiogenic shock (with no evidence of significant anoxic neurological injury) that are not controlled by optimal medical therapy; and (ii) due to the effects of established veno‑arterial extra‑corporeal membrane oxygenation, requires unloading of the left ventricle (H) (Anaes.)

[Explanatory notes and rules on MBS Online ↗](https://www9.health.gov.au/mbs/fullDisplay.cfm?type=item&q=38376)

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=38376) before billing. This is a reference tool, not billing or financial advice.