MBS item

55274
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Bilateral duplex ultrasound scan of neck vessels (carotid, vertebral, and optionally subclavian/innominate) with Doppler flow analysis, with or without eye blood pressure or orbital Doppler testing.

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 55274 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
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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=55274)

Item descriptor
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Duplex scanning, bilateral, involving B mode ultrasound imaging and integrated Doppler flow measurements by spectral analysis of extra cranial bilateral carotid and vertebral vessels, with or without subclavian and innominate vessels, with or without oculoplethysmography or peri orbital Doppler examination, 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=55274)

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=55274) before billing. This is a reference tool, not billing or financial advice.