MBS Companion
Type an item number, or plain language such as long consult or skin excision. Results appear as you type. Press Enter to copy the top item number.

Back to MBS Companion
31377

Clinically suspected melanoma, surgical excision of — nose, eyelid, eyebrow, lip, ear, digit

Therapeutic procedures · Group T8 — Surgical operations

Schedule fee
$131.25
BenefitAmountGap to fee
85%$111.60$19.65
75%$98.45$32.80

Benefit amounts as published in the schedule, not recalculated.

Fee current from 1 Jul 2026.

Descriptor · the legislated text
Clinically suspected melanoma, surgical excision of (other than by shave excision) including repair (if performed), if: (a) the lesion is excised from nose, eyelid, eyebrow, lip, ear, digit or genitalia, or from a contiguous area; and (b) the necessary excision diameter is less than 6 mm; and (c) the excised specimen is sent for histological examination; not in association with a service to which item 45201 applies (Anaes.)
Markers in this descriptor

(Anaes.) — anaesthesia may be claimed separately in association with this item.

Descriptor current from 1 Nov 2025.
Written by AI — no clinician has checked this

31377 to 31383 are for the INITIAL excision of a clinically suspected melanoma and are the only skin excision items that do not require histological confirmation before billing. Once melanoma, appendageal carcinoma, malignant connective tissue tumour or merkel cell carcinoma is confirmed, a wide excision of the primary tumour bed is a separate service claimed on 31371 to 31376 - do not re-bill 31377 for the wide excision.

The initial excision of a suspected melanoma may be claimed using item 31377 — TN.8.125
Drafted 28 Aug 2026.
Claiming with other items
Explanatory notes · departmental guidance · 2
TN.8.125 Removal of Skin Lesions - Necessary Excision Diameter - (Items 31356 to 31388)
Note TN.8.125

The necessary excision diameter (or defect size) refers to the lesion size plus a clinically appropriate margin of healthy tissue required with the intent of complete surgical excision. Measurements should be taken prior to excision. Margin… Read the full note

Shown as an excerpt: this note also governs 30 other items in this tool, so it has its own page rather than repeating in full on each one.

View on MBS Online

TN.8.297 Healing by secondary intention
Note TN.8.297

Healing by secondary intention is when a wound is left open to heal, instead of repairing the wound by suture, skin flap or skin graft. Items 31356, 31357, 31358, 31360, 31363, 31364, 31369, 31370, 31371, 31373, 31376, 31377, 31378, 31379, … Read the full note

Shown as an excerpt: this note also governs 17 other items in this tool, so it has its own page rather than repeating in full on each one.

View on MBS Online

Item number31377
Category3 — Therapeutic procedures
GroupT8 — Surgical operations
Subheading
Item typeS
Fee typeN
In schedule since1 Nov 2022
Fee current from1 Jul 2026
GP scopeYes · tier 2
Official page As at 1 Aug 2026