Billing code
A185A — Neurology consultation
Neurology consultation
A neurologist bills A185 for a consultation at a physician's or nurse practitioner's written request, with a written report back.
Watch for: Put the referrer's billing number on the claim; virtually, it can be done by video only, not telephone.
| Provider | Specialist | Assistant | Anaesthetist | Non-anaesthetist |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $0.00 | $225.55 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
- Code
- A185A
- Description
- Neurology 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
Consultation by a neurologist at the written request of a physician or nurse practitioner, with a written report back to the referrer.
What it covers
A consultation is an assessment requested in writing by a physician or nurse practitioner because of the complexity, seriousness or obscurity of the case, or because the patient asks for another opinion (GP16).
It includes the assessment, review of relevant data, and a written report with findings, opinions and recommendations to the referrer (GP16). Longer neurology consultations are A180 (at least 75 minutes) and A682 (at least 90 minutes) (A140).
Billing rules
- Needs a written, signed request from a physician or nurse practitioner that names you or your specialty, the referrer and their billing number, and the patient's health number; otherwise it is paid as a lesser assessment (GP16).
- Same patient, same diagnosis: one consultation per two consecutive 12-month periods (a second only for a hospital in-patient or ED patient 12–24 months after the first); a clearly unrelated diagnosis allows one per 12 months. Excess claims are paid as an assessment (GP17–GP18).
- Detention (K001) can start only after 60 minutes and is assessed on an IC basis with a written explanation (GP30–GP31).
- Age premiums apply for patients under 16, from +10% to +30% depending on age (GP64).
- Can be done by video only (not telephone); add K300A to the claim (Appendix J AJ2, A66).
- If the referral came from another neurologist already paid a consultation for the same diagnosis, for ongoing management, it is not payable as a consultation (GP16).
Common rejections
- ARF: The claim has no referring provider number. A consultation must follow a written referral that identifies the referring physician or nurse practitioner and their billing number (GP16).
- AT2: Billed by telephone (K301A). This code is on Appendix J's video-only list, so it must be done by video and claimed with K300A (AJ2).
Related codes: A180, A682, A186, A385, A183, A384, C185
Source: Schedule of Benefits (July 1, 2026), Consultations and Visits, Neurology (18), page A140; rules GP16–GP18.
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