MBS item

55133
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Serial transthoracic echocardiography with colour flow mapping from multiple windows for investigating pericardial effusion/pericarditis or monitoring cardiotoxic medication effects, not concurrent with other cardiac imaging.

Category 5 · Diagnostic imaging services[Group I1 · subgroup 7](/groups/I1)

Schedule fee$244.60

100% benefitGP, out of hospital—

85% benefitOut of hospital$207.95

75% benefitIn hospital$183.45

The schedule fee for MBS item 55133 is $244.60. Medicare pays $207.95 (85%) out of hospital, or $183.45 (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$207.95

Patient gap$36.65

Bulk billing means accepting $207.95 as full payment, with no gap and no extra charges. [Add incentives](/bulk-billing?item=55133)

Item descriptor
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Frequent repetition serial real time transthoracic echocardiographic examination of the heart with real time colour flow mapping from at least 3 acoustic windows, with recordings on digital media, if the service: (a) is for the investigation of a patient who: (i) has an isolated pericardial effusion or pericarditis; or (ii) has commenced medication that has cardiotoxic side effects and is a pharmaceutical benefit (within the meaning of Part VII of the National Health Act 1953) for the writing of a prescription for the supply of which under that Part an echocardiogram is required; and (b) is not associated with a service to which: (i) another item in this Subgroup applies (except items 55137, 55141, 55143, 55145 and 55146); or (ii) an item in Subgroup 2 applies (except items 55118 and 55130); or (iii) an item in Subgroup 3 applies (R)

[Explanatory notes and rules on MBS Online ↗](https://www9.health.gov.au/mbs/fullDisplay.cfm?type=item&q=55133)

Health fund and DVA rates
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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=55133) before billing. This is a reference tool, not billing or financial advice.