Billing code
A196A — Repeat Consultation
Psychiatry repeat consultation
A psychiatrist bills A196 for a second consultation on the same problem after another physician cared for the patient, on a new referral.
Watch for: Needs a new written, signed request naming the referrer and billing number; otherwise it pays as an assessment.
| Provider | Specialist | Assistant | Anaesthetist | Non-anaesthetist |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $0.00 | $120.30 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
- Code
- A196A
- 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
Psychiatry (19) repeat consultation: a psychiatrist's second consultation for the same problem after another physician's care, on a new referral.
What it covers
A196 is the repeat consultation in the Psychiatry (19) listing (A184). A repeat consultation is an additional consultation by the same consultant for the same presenting problem, after another physician has cared for the patient since the first consultation (GP19).
It has the same requirements as a consultation, including a new written request from the referring physician or nurse practitioner and a written report back (GP16, GP19).
Billing rules
- Needs a new written, signed request naming the consultant or specialty, the referrer and billing number, and the patient and health number, kept in the chart (GP16, GP19).
- If the repeat consultation requirements aren't met, it is paid as a general or specific assessment, depending on the specialty (GP17, GP18).
- Not counted in the consultation limits of one per two consecutive 12-month periods (GP18).
- Out-of-hospital psychotherapy, psychiatric care or hypnotherapy the same day is not payable unless the diagnoses are clearly different (GP55).
- Detention (K001) can only start after 60 minutes (GP30). K630 consultation extension isn't listed for A196 (A185).
- Patients under 16: specialist consultation age premium of 10% to 30% (GP64).
- Video only (with K300A), never telephone (AJ2). For hospital in-patients bill C196 (A186).
Related codes: A195, A190, A395, A193, C196
Source: Schedule of Benefits (July 1, 2026), Consultations and Visits, Psychiatry (19), pages A183 to A186; General Preamble GP16 to GP19 (consultations, repeat consultation)
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