MBS item

55252
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Ultrasound examination of veins in one upper limb using B-mode imaging and Doppler flow analysis, not associated with a Subgroup 4 service.

Category 5 · Diagnostic imaging services[Group I1 · subgroup 3](/groups/I1)

Schedule fee$199.70

100% benefitGP, out of hospital—

85% benefitOut of hospital$169.75

75% benefitIn hospital$149.80

The schedule fee for MBS item 55252 is $199.70. Medicare pays $169.75 (85%) out of hospital, or $149.80 (75%) for a privately admitted patient in hospital. Fee effective 1 July 2026.

Gap for what you charge
-----------------------

Your fee$

Out of hospitalIn hospital (private)

Medicare pays$169.75

Patient gap$29.95

Bulk billing means accepting $169.75 as full payment, with no gap and no extra charges. [Add incentives](/bulk-billing?item=55252)

Extended Medicare Safety Net cap: $159.76 (80% of the schedule fee). Once a patient reaches the EMSN threshold, the extra benefit for this item is 80% of their out-of-pocket cost, but no more than this cap. [How safety nets work](/guides/medicare-safety-nets)

Item descriptor
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Duplex scanning, unilateral, involving B mode ultrasound imaging and integrated Doppler flow measurements by spectral analysis of veins in the upper limb, not being a service associated with a service to which an item in Subgroup 4 applies (R).

[Explanatory notes and rules on MBS Online ↗](https://www9.health.gov.au/mbs/fullDisplay.cfm?type=item&q=55252)

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=55252) before billing. This is a reference tool, not billing or financial advice.