What are the billing rules for A945A?

Record start and stop times in the chart, or it is paid at a lesser fee (A1). Over 50 minutes, add K023 units; K023 time starts 50 minutes after the A945 start time, and each unit must meet its minimum time (A1, A2). Needs a written consultation request and report like any consultation; a request made after the service doesn't qualify (GP16).

What is A945A often billed with?

K023 palliative care support for time beyond 50 minutes (A1, A2). B966 travel and B998/B997 first person premiums when done as a palliative home visit (GP76).

Why is A945A rejected?

ARF: 'Missing physician referring number': a consultation claim needs the referring physician's or nurse practitioner's billing number (GP16). AT2: 'Must include video modality': A945 is a video-only virtual service; it can't be billed by phone (Appendix J AJ2).

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Billing code

A945A — Special Palliative Care Consultation (office, home, OPD)

Q: What is OHIP billing code A945A?

Special palliative care consultation of at least 50 minutes, on referral, in the office, home or out-patient setting.

Special palliative care consultation

Bill A945 for a referred palliative care consultation of at least 50 minutes, in the office, home or out-patient setting.

Watch for: Record start and stop times, or it pays a lesser fee; add K023 units only after the first 50 minutes.

Provider	Specialist	Assistant	Anaesthetist	Non-anaesthetist
$174.25	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

Code: A945A
Description: Special Palliative Care Consultation (office, home, OPD)
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

Special palliative care consultation of at least 50 minutes, on referral, in the office, home or out-patient setting.

What it covers

A special palliative care consultation is requested because specialized palliative management is needed. You spend at least 50 minutes in direct contact with the patient and/or family or representative, mostly with the patient, not counting other separately billable services (A1).

Besides the usual parts of a consultation, it includes a psychosocial assessment, a full review of medications, counselling and considering community services where needed (A1).

Billing rules

Record start and stop times in the chart, or it is paid at a lesser fee (A1).
Over 50 minutes, add K023 units; K023 time starts 50 minutes after the A945 start time, and each unit must meet its minimum time (A1, A2).
Needs a written consultation request and report like any consultation; a request made after the service doesn't qualify (GP16).
Counts toward the consultation limits (GP17, GP18).
Can be done by video only (not phone) as comprehensive virtual care (Appendix J AJ2). A945 by video also establishes the relationship for later comprehensive virtual care (A66).
FHO: counts toward the palliative care special payment (Agreement p.66 §8.6).

Often billed with

K023 palliative care support for time beyond 50 minutes (A1, A2).
B966 travel and B998/B997 first person premiums when done as a palliative home visit (GP76).

Common rejections

ARF: 'Missing physician referring number': a consultation claim needs the referring physician's or nurse practitioner's billing number (GP16).
AT2: 'Must include video modality': A945 is a video-only virtual service; it can't be billed by phone (Appendix J AJ2).

Related codes: C945, K023, A005, A911, B998, B966, K015

Source: Schedule of Benefits (July 1, 2026), Consultations and Visits, Family Practice & Practice in General (00), page A1.

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