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Billing code

C486A — Rheumatology repeat consultation – hospital in-patient

Rheumatology in-patient repeat consultation

Bill for another rheumatology consultation on the same problem for a hospital in-patient after another physician cared for them in between.

Watch for: Needs a new written request and the referrer's billing number; otherwise it pays as an assessment.

ProviderSpecialistAssistantAnaesthetistNon-anaesthetist
$0.00$124.50$0.00$0.00$0.00
Code
C486A
Description
Rheumatology repeat consultation – hospital in-patient
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

Repeat rheumatology consultation for an in-patient: same consultant, same problem, after another physician's care in between.

What it covers

C486 is a repeat consultation for a non-emergency hospital in-patient (A205): an additional consultation by the same consultant for the same presenting problem, after another physician cared for the patient in the interval (GP19).

It needs a new written request, like any consultation (GP19).

Billing rules

  • C-prefix codes are for non-emergency services to acute hospital in-patients; emergency calls and special visits to in-patients use the A-prefix General Listings with premiums (A205, GP12).
  • Needs a new written request and all consultation requirements (GP16, GP19).
  • Repeat consultations don't count toward the consultation limits; if the repeat rules aren't met it's paid as an assessment (GP18).
  • Age premium of 10–30% for patients under 16 (GP64).
  • By video only, and for in-patients only when you aren't the MRP, no local physician with the expertise is available, and the referrer assessed the patient in person within the prior 30 days (Appendix J, A66).

Common rejections

  • ARP: OHIP describes this as 'Referring Physician Number Required': a consultation needs the referring physician's or nurse practitioner's billing number (GP16).
  • AT2: OHIP describes this as 'Must Include Video Modality': this code is on the video-only virtual care list, so it can't be billed by telephone (K301A) (Appendix J).

Related codes: C485, C590, A486, C484

Source: Schedule of Benefits (July 1, 2026), Consultations and Visits, Rheumatology (48), Non-emergency hospital in-patient services, page A205.

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