Billing code
A199A — Initiation of rTMS for treatment-resistant depression
Starting rTMS for depression
A psychiatrist bills A199 for at least 30 minutes of direct contact to start rTMS for documented treatment-resistant depression.
Watch for: You must be available during the first therapy session to manage reactions; limit one per treatment protocol and 2 per 12 months.
| Provider | Specialist | Assistant | Anaesthetist | Non-anaesthetist |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $0.00 | $159.80 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
- Code
- A199A
- Description
- Initiation of rTMS for treatment-resistant depression
- 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
Psychiatrist's assessment to start rTMS for treatment-resistant depression, with at least 30 minutes of direct contact.
What it covers
A199 is an assessment by a psychiatrist to start repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for treatment-resistant depression, with at least 30 minutes (consecutive or not) in direct contact with the patient, excluding other separately billable services (A184).
It includes educational counselling, setting the initial treatment (including motor threshold and coil placement), EMG if done, and initial treatment monitoring done by or in the presence of the physician if done (A184).
Billing rules
- You must be available to step in promptly during the first therapy session to manage adverse reactions, or it is not payable (A184).
- Only for a patient with an established diagnosis of treatment-resistant depression documented in the chart (A184).
- Maximum one per patient per acute treatment protocol, and 2 per patient per 12 months (A184).
- Time when the patient isn't present, or time shared with another patient, doesn't count toward the 30 minutes (A184).
- Not on the Appendix J virtual care list (Appendix J).
Related codes: A193, A195, A194, K197, K198
Source: Schedule of Benefits (July 1, 2026), Consultations and Visits, Psychiatry (19), page A184.
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