MBS item

55146
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Pharmacological stress echocardiography for patients whose prior exercise stress echo (within 4 weeks) failed due to inadequate heart rate response, not bundled with certain cardiac services, limited to once per 24 months.

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

Schedule fee$561.55

100% benefitGP, out of hospital—

85% benefitOut of hospital$477.35

75% benefitIn hospital$421.20

The schedule fee for MBS item 55146 is $561.55. Medicare pays $477.35 (85%) out of hospital, or $421.20 (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$477.35

Patient gap$84.20

Bulk billing means accepting $477.35 as full payment, with no gap and no extra charges. [Add incentives](/bulk-billing?item=55146)

Item descriptor
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Note: the service only applies if the patient meets the requirements of the descriptor and the requirements of Note: IR.0.1 and IR.1.2 Pharmacological stress echocardiography if: (a) a service to which item 55141 applies has been performed on the patient in the previous 4 weeks, and the test has failed due to an inadequate heart rate response; and (b) the service is not associated with a service to which: (i) item 11704, 11705, 11707, 11714, 11729 or 11730 applies; or (ii) an item in Subgroup 3 applies Applicable not more than once in a 24 month period (R) Note: this item does not apply to a service provided to a patient if, in the previous 24 months, a service associated with a service to which item 55143 or 55145 applies has been provided to the patient.

[Explanatory notes and rules on MBS Online ↗](https://www9.health.gov.au/mbs/fullDisplay.cfm?type=item&q=55146)

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=55146) before billing. This is a reference tool, not billing or financial advice.