< Billing codes

Billing code

A156A — Repeat Consultation

Endocrinology repeat consultation

An endocrinologist bills A156 in the office for a new referral on the same problem after another physician cared for the patient.

Watch for: Needs a new written request with the referrer's billing number on the claim; virtually, by video only, not telephone.

Code

A156A

Description

Repeat Consultation

FHO+ basket

Not in the FHO+ base rate basket (Schedule 2 or 2B).

Effective date

Apr 1, 2026

Termination date

No end date

Explanation

Updated October 26, 2026

Repeat consultation by an endocrinologist in the office: a new referral for the same problem after another physician has cared for the patient.

What it covers

A repeat consultation is an additional consultation by the same consultant for the same presenting problem, when another physician has cared for the patient between your first consultation and this one (GP19).

It has all the requirements of a consultation, including a new written request from the referring physician, nurse practitioner or dental surgeon, and a written report back with your findings and recommendations (GP16, GP19). A156 is the office code; use C156 for hospital in-patients and W156 in long-term care (A98, A102, A103).

Billing rules

• Needs a new written, signed request that names you or the specialty, the referrer and their billing number, and the patient and health number, kept in your chart (GP16, GP19).
• If another physician didn't care for the patient between the two consultations, or the repeat consultation rules aren't met, it pays as an assessment (GP18, GP19).
• Repeat consultations don't count toward the consultation limits (GP17, GP18).
• Detention (K001) is only payable after 60 minutes spent on the repeat consultation (GP29, GP30).
• Patients under 16 get an age premium of 10% to 30%, depending on age (GP64).
• Can be done as comprehensive virtual care by video only (A156A with K300A), when there is an existing patient-physician relationship; not payable by telephone (Appendix J AJ2, A66).

Often billed with

• K001 detention, after the first 60 minutes (GP30).
• Diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, which are payable in addition to a consultation (J3).

Common rejections

• ARP: OHIP needs the referring provider's number on a consultation claim; add the referrer's billing number from the written request and resubmit (GP16).
• AT2: This code is on the video-only virtual care list, so it can't be billed by telephone (K301A); bill it only for a video visit with K300A (Appendix J AJ2).

Related codes: A155, A150, A255, A153, A154, C156, W156, K001

Source: Schedule of Benefits (July 1, 2026), Consultations and Visits, Endocrinology & Metabolism (15), page A98; rules GP16–GP19.

APEX checks every paid claim against the Schedule of Benefits and flags codes billed below what the visit qualified for. See how APEX works · Pricing