Claiming MBS item 35501 (LARC Loading) in Communicare
August 26, 2026
We are aware that some health services have questions about claiming MBS item 35501 (Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptive – LARC Loading Fee) in Communicare, particularly regarding the order in which MBS items appear after submission and Medicare responses returning rejection codes.
We understand your concern and want to reassure you that we have investigated this.
Our team completed analysis, test claims and consultation with Services Australia documentation. We can confirm that Communicare is working as designed.
Here is what you need to know
Medicare claim submission order
Please be assured that Communicare transmits claim items to Services Australia in the exact order they are entered on screen by the user.
The display shown in other Communicare windows is a view-only reference and not the submission order. Our team confirmed this through analysis of multiple claims.
Medicare rejection codes
Rejection codes returned by Services Australia for item 35501 are largely informational, for example:
Code 446: is not a true rejection – the code indicates the combined benefit (base + LARC loading) has been paid against the base item.
Code 445: is not a true rejection – the 40% LARC loading amount has been paid, but it is included in the beenfit item’s base amount.
However, code 444 is a true rejection. This code is returned when item 35501 is now submitted directly after a valid LARC base item.
Medicare behaviour explained
This is standard Medicare behaviour – Services Australia combines the LARC loading payment (40% of the base item amount) with the base item benefit rather than paying it as a separate line item, regardless of the fee entered in Communicare.
This is standard Medicare behaviour across all practice management systems, not specific to Communicare.
Reporting impact
Your internal reports may show item 35501 as “rejected” even though the payment has been received in full. Health services should be aware of this when reconciling Medicare reports.
Recommended process for claiming item 35501
To help ensure claims are processed correctly, our team recommends the following steps:
Search and add the LARC base item first (e.g., 14206, 30062 or 35503) using the MBS search function. Don’t select it directly from the list.
Search and add item 35501 (LARC Loading) immediately after the base item.
If you have multiple LARC base items, add each base item followed by its matching 35501 item in sequence.
Finally, submit the claim.
In summary
The claiming workflow in Communicare is functioning as designed.
The rejection codes observed are standard Medicare behaviour across all PMS vendors, not a Communicare defect.
Following the recommended claiming steps ensures correct submission order.
Practices should account for the combined payment behaviour when reconciling Medicare reports internally.
Need help?
If you have any further questions, please contact our Support team through the Telstra Health Customer Support Portal.