MBS item

72858
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Written second opinion on a patient specimen requiring ≤30 minutes to complete, requested by a treating practitioner when further diagnostic information is needed for patient management.

Category 6 · Pathology services[Group P5](/groups/P5)

Schedule fee$189.10

100% benefitGP, out of hospital—

85% benefitOut of hospital$160.75

75% benefitIn hospital$141.85

The schedule fee for MBS item 72858 is $189.10. Medicare pays $160.75 (85%) out of hospital, or $141.85 (75%) for a privately admitted patient in hospital. Fee effective 1 July 2026.

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

Your fee$

Out of hospitalIn hospital (private)

Medicare pays$160.75

Patient gap$28.35

Bulk billing means accepting $160.75 as full payment, with no gap and no extra charges. [Add incentives](/bulk-billing?item=72858)

Item descriptor
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A second opinion, provided in a written report, where the opinion and report together require no more than 30 minutes to complete, on a patient specimen, requested by a treating practitioner, where further information is needed for accurate diagnosis and appropriate patient management.

[Explanatory notes and rules on MBS Online ↗](https://www9.health.gov.au/mbs/fullDisplay.cfm?type=item&q=72858)

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=72858) before billing. This is a reference tool, not billing or financial advice.