MBS item

66623
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Qualitative and quantitative testing of blood, urine or other body fluids for drugs of abuse (illegal or misused legal drugs) or toxic chemicals, excluding sports surveillance and drug treatment program monitoring.

Category 6 · Pathology services[Group P2](/groups/P2)

Schedule fee$41.50

100% benefitGP, out of hospital—

85% benefitOut of hospital$35.30

75% benefitIn hospital$31.15

The schedule fee for MBS item 66623 is $41.50. Medicare pays $35.30 (85%) out of hospital, or $31.15 (75%) for a privately admitted patient in hospital. Fee effective 1 January 2013.

Gap for what you charge
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Your fee$

Out of hospitalIn hospital (private)

Medicare pays$35.30

Patient gap$6.20

Bulk billing means accepting $35.30 as full payment, with no gap and no extra charges. [Add incentives](/bulk-billing?item=66623)

Item descriptor
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All qualitative and quantitative tests on blood, urine or other body fluid for: (a) a drug or drugs of abuse (including illegal drugs and legally available drugs taken other than in appropriate dosage); or (b) ingested or absorbed toxic chemicals; including a service described in item 66800, 66803, 66806, 66812 or 66815 (if performed), but excluding: (c) the surveillance of sports people and athletes for performance improving substances; and (d) the monitoring of patients participating in a drug abuse treatment program

[Explanatory notes and rules on MBS Online ↗](https://www9.health.gov.au/mbs/fullDisplay.cfm?type=item&q=66623)

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=66623) before billing. This is a reference tool, not billing or financial advice.