MBS item 45589 ===== Autologous fat grafting for craniofacial asymmetry or burn scars with contracture/deformity/pain (up to 4 services per 3-month intervals, with documented imaging and diagnosis). Category 3 · Therapeutic procedures[Group T8 · subgroup 13](/groups/T8)In hospital only (H) Schedule fee$756.10 100% benefitGP, out of hospital— 85% benefitOut of hospital— 75% benefitIn hospital$567.10 The schedule fee for MBS item 45589 is $756.10. Medicare pays $567.10 (75%) for a privately admitted patient in hospital. Fee effective 1 July 2026. Gap for what you charge ----------------------- Your fee$ In hospital (private) Medicare pays$567.10 Fund pays (minimum)$189.00 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 --------------- Autologous fat grafting (harvesting, preparation and injection of adipocytes) if: (a) the autologous fat grafting is for either or both of the following purposes: (i) the correction of asymmetry arising from volume and contour defects in craniofacial disorders—up to a total of 4 services if each service is provided at least 3 months after the previous service; (ii) the treatment of burn scar or associated skin graft in the context of scar contracture, contour deformity or neuropathic pain, for patients who have undergone a minimum of 3 months of topical therapies, including silicone and pressure therapy, with an unsatisfactory or minimal level of improvement—up to a total of 4 services per region of the body (upper or lower limbs, trunk, neck or face) if each service provided per region of the body is provided at least 3 months after the previous such service; and (b) both: (i) photographic and/or diagnostic imaging evidence demonstrating the clinical need for this service is documented in the patient notes; and (ii) for craniofacial disorders, evidence of diagnosis of the qualifying craniofacial disorder is documented in the patient notes (H) (Anaes.) [Explanatory notes and rules on MBS Online ↗](https://www9.health.gov.au/mbs/fullDisplay.cfm?type=item&q=45589) 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=45589) before billing. This is a reference tool, not billing or financial advice.