MBS item

88731
=====

Fitting a retainer or attachment to a tooth to help hold a partial denture in place.

[Group U7 · subgroup 1](/groups/U7)

Schedule fee$51.05

100% benefitGP, out of hospital$51.05

85% benefitOut of hospital—

75% benefitIn hospital—

The schedule fee for MBS item 88731 is $51.05. Medicare pays $51.05 (100%) out of hospital. Fee effective 1 January 2026.

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

Your fee$

Out of hospital

Medicare pays$51.05

Patient gap$0.00

Bulk billing means accepting $51.05 as full payment, with no gap and no extra charges. [Add incentives](/bulk-billing?item=88731)

Item descriptor
---------------

Retainer - per tooth A retainer or attachment fitted to a tooth to aid retention of a partial denture. The number of retainers should be indicated.

[Explanatory notes and rules on MBS Online ↗](https://www9.health.gov.au/mbs/fullDisplay.cfm?type=item&q=88731)

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=88731) before billing. This is a reference tool, not billing or financial advice.