MBS item

46072
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Reconstructive surgery using two free tissue flaps with microvascular anastomoses to repair major tissue defects, excluding breast reconstruction and certain other specified procedures.

Category 3 · Therapeutic procedures[Group T8 · subgroup 13](/groups/T8)In hospital only (H)

Schedule fee$3,428.85

100% benefitGP, out of hospital—

85% benefitOut of hospital—

75% benefitIn hospital$2,571.65

The schedule fee for MBS item 46072 is $3,428.85. Medicare pays $2,571.65 (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$2,571.65

Fund pays (minimum)$857.20

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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Double free flap, including 2 free transfers of tissue (reconstructive surgery) for the repair of major tissue defect, involving anastomoses of all required vessels using microvascular techniques, all necessary elements of the operation including (but not limited to): (a) raising each flap of tissue on a separate vascular pedicle; and(b) preparation of recipient vessels; and(c) transfer of tissue; and(d) inset of tissue at recipient site; and(e) direct repair of secondary cutaneous defect, if performed; other than a service: (f) performed in the context of breast reconstruction; or(g) associated with a service to which item 30166, 30169, 30175, 30176, 30177, 30179, 45501, 45502, 45504, 45505 or 45562 appliesConjoint surgery, conjoint specialist surgeon (H) (Anaes.) (Assist.)

[Explanatory notes and rules on MBS Online ↗](https://www9.health.gov.au/mbs/fullDisplay.cfm?type=item&q=46072)

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=46072) before billing. This is a reference tool, not billing or financial advice.