MBS item

69499
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Hepatitis C viral RNA detection for seropositive patients, those with inconclusive serology, immunosuppressed patients, or suspected acute hepatitis C; limited to once per 12 months.

Category 6 · Pathology services[Group P3](/groups/P3)

Schedule fee$92.20

100% benefitGP, out of hospital—

85% benefitOut of hospital$78.40

75% benefitIn hospital$69.15

The schedule fee for MBS item 69499 is $92.20. Medicare pays $78.40 (85%) out of hospital, or $69.15 (75%) for a privately admitted patient in hospital. Fee effective 1 January 2013.

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

Your fee$

Out of hospitalIn hospital (private)

Medicare pays$78.40

Patient gap$13.80

Bulk billing means accepting $78.40 as full payment, with no gap and no extra charges. [Add incentives](/bulk-billing?item=69499)

Item descriptor
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Detection of hepatitis C viral RNA if: (a) the patient is hepatitis C seropositive; or (aa) the patient's hepatitis C serological status is uncertain after an inconclusive serology test result; or (b) the test is performed for the purpose of: (i) determining the hepatitis C status of an immunosuppressed or immunocompromised patient; or (ii) the detection of acute hepatitis C prior to seroconversion if considered necessary for the clinical management of the patient (Item is subject to rule 25 - not more than once in a 12-month period in total for both items 69499 and 69500)

[Explanatory notes and rules on MBS Online ↗](https://www9.health.gov.au/mbs/fullDisplay.cfm?type=item&q=69499)

Health fund and DVA rates
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Total fee each scheme recognises for this item in hospital.

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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=69499) before billing. This is a reference tool, not billing or financial advice.