MBS item 66842 ===== Vitamin B12 level testing (total B12, holotranscobalamin, methylmalonic acid, or homocysteine) for patients with symptoms persisting 3-6 months post-treatment, inconclusive prior results, or risk factors including dietary deficiency, family history,… Category 6 · Pathology services[Group P2](/groups/P2) Schedule fee$23.60 100% benefitGP, out of hospital— 85% benefitOut of hospital$20.10 75% benefitIn hospital$17.70 The schedule fee for MBS item 66842 is $23.60. Medicare pays $20.10 (85%) out of hospital, or $17.70 (75%) for a privately admitted patient in hospital. Fee effective 1 July 2025. Gap for what you charge ----------------------- Your fee$ Out of hospitalIn hospital (private) Medicare pays$20.10 Patient gap$3.50 Bulk billing means accepting $20.10 as full payment, with no gap and no extra charges. [Add incentives](/bulk-billing?item=66842) Item descriptor --------------- Quantification of one or more of total vitamin B12, holotranscobalamin, methylmalonic acid or homocysteine for a patient: a) who: (i) is still experiencing symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency 3 to 6 months after a service described in item 66838 or 66839 was rendered for the patient; or(ii) obtained inconclusive results from a service described in item 66839; or b) to whom one or more of the following applies: (i) the patient has a diet low in vitamin B12; (ii) the patient has a family history of vitamin B12 deficiency or an autoimmune condition; (iii) the patient has previously had abdominal or pelvic radiotherapy; (iv) the patient has previously had surgery involving the gastrointestinal tract; (v) the patient uses, or has a recent history of using, recreational nitrous oxide; (vi) the patient requires monitoring of vitamin B12 treatment; (vii) the patient uses vitamin B12-antagonistic medicines; (viii) the patient has one or more clinical conditions with a recognised risk of vitamin B12 deficiency [Explanatory notes and rules on MBS Online ↗](https://www9.health.gov.au/mbs/fullDisplay.cfm?type=item&q=66842) Health fund and DVA rates ------------------------- 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=66842) before billing. This is a reference tool, not billing or financial advice.