MBS item

88213
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Treatment of acute periodontal infection including drainage establishment, calculus removal, suturing and post-operative care per visit.

[Group U2](/groups/U2)

Schedule fee$80.70

100% benefitGP, out of hospital$80.70

85% benefitOut of hospital—

75% benefitIn hospital—

The schedule fee for MBS item 88213 is $80.70. Medicare pays $80.70 (100%) out of hospital. Fee effective 1 January 2026.

Gap for what you charge
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Your fee$

Out of hospital

Medicare pays$80.70

Patient gap$0.00

Bulk billing means accepting $80.70 as full payment, with no gap and no extra charges. [Add incentives](/bulk-billing?item=88213)

Item descriptor
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Treatment of acute periodontal infection - per visit This item describes the treatment of acute periodontal infection(s). It may include establishing drainage and the removal of calculus from the affected tooth (teeth). Inclusive of the insertion of sutures, normal post-operative care and suture removal.

[Explanatory notes and rules on MBS Online ↗](https://www9.health.gov.au/mbs/fullDisplay.cfm?type=item&q=88213)

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=88213) before billing. This is a reference tool, not billing or financial advice.