MBS item

56553
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CT scan of the colon to diagnose or exclude colorectal cancer in symptomatic or high-risk patients with incomplete colonoscopy in past 3 months, high-grade obstruction, or specialist request.

Category 5 · Diagnostic imaging services[Group I2 · subgroup 6](/groups/I2)

Schedule fee$600.30

100% benefitGP, out of hospital—

85% benefitOut of hospital$510.30

75% benefitIn hospital$450.25

The schedule fee for MBS item 56553 is $600.30. Medicare pays $510.30 (85%) out of hospital, or $450.25 (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$510.30

Patient gap$90.00

Bulk billing means accepting $510.30 as full payment, with no gap and no extra charges. [Add incentives](/bulk-billing?item=56553)

Item descriptor
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Computed tomography—scan of colon for exclusion or diagnosis of colorectal neoplasia in a symptomatic or high risk patient if: (a) one or more of the following applies: (i) the patient has had an incomplete colonoscopy in the 3 months before the scan; (ii) there is a high grade colonic obstruction; (iii) the service is requested by a specialist or consultant physician who performs colonoscopies in the practice of the specialist’s or consultant physician’s speciality; and(b) the service is not a service to which item 56301, 56307, 56401, 56407, 56409, 56412, 56501, 56507, 56801, 56807 or 57001 applies (R) (Anaes.)

[Explanatory notes and rules on MBS Online ↗](https://www9.health.gov.au/mbs/fullDisplay.cfm?type=item&q=56553)

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=56553) before billing. This is a reference tool, not billing or financial advice.