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Billing code

A244A — Otolaryngology partial assessment

Brief ENT visit

An otolaryngologist bills A244 for a partial assessment: history of the presenting complaint, needed exam, advice and a record.

Watch for: If your decision to operate is the same day as a Z-code procedure, no assessment before the procedure is paid.

Code

A244A

Description

Otolaryngology partial assessment

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

Limited ENT visit: history of the presenting complaint, needed exam, advice and record.

What it covers

A partial assessment is the limited service of a history of the presenting complaint, the necessary physical exam, advice to the patient and an appropriate record (GP25).

A244 is the Otolaryngology (24) general listing for this service (A166).

Billing rules

• Specialists bill from the Consultations and Visits listing of their own specialty (GP9).
• When the major pre-operative visit was in the past 12 months, a partial assessment is the only assessment payable before a Z-code (IOP) procedure on the same day. If the decision to operate is the same day, no other assessment before the IOP is paid (SP4).
• Detention (K001) may start only after 30 minutes (GP29–GP31).
• Can be done by video or phone with an existing relationship; add K300A or K301A (AJ1, A66, A70).

Often billed with

• Z-code office procedures such as Z296, Z907 or Z912 (GP4, SP4).

Common rejections

• AT3: Billed as virtual care (K300A/K301A) and OHIP found no existing patient-physician relationship, such as an in-person service by you in the past 24 months (A66).

Related codes: A243, A245, C244, Z907, Z296

Source: Schedule of Benefits (July 1, 2026), Consultations and Visits, Otolaryngology (24), page A166.

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