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Billing code

E318A — Incision And Drainage Of Extensive Haematoma Of Pinna With Packing Of Ear And External Compression Dressing - Local Anaesthetic

Ear haematoma drainage, local

Bill for incision and drainage of an extensive pinna haematoma with ear packing and compression dressing, under local anaesthetic.

Watch for: Use E317 when done under general anaesthetic; your own local anaesthetic or nerve block isn't payable separately.

Code

E318A

Description

Incision And Drainage Of Extensive Haematoma Of Pinna With Packing Of Ear And External Compression Dressing - Local Anaesthetic

FHO+ basket

Not in the FHO+ base rate basket (Schedule 2 or 2B).

Effective date

Apr 1, 2025

Termination date

No end date

Explanation

Updated October 26, 2026

Incision and drainage of an extensive haematoma of the pinna, with packing of the ear and an external compression dressing, under local anaesthetic.

What it covers

E318 is the local anaesthetic listing for incision and drainage of an extensive haematoma of the pinna, with packing of the ear and an external compression dressing, in the External Ear part of Aural Surgical Procedures (Y14). The same procedure under general anaesthetic is E317 (Y14).

E318 is marked #: its fee doesn't include the premises, equipment, supplies and personnel where the procedure is done (SP1). Like other surgical services, the fee includes preparing the patient, the procedure, recovery-room care and post-procedure care up to the first post-operative visit (SP1).

Billing rules

• Use E318 when no general anaesthetic is needed; a listed procedure done without an anaesthetic is claimed under the local anaesthetic listing (Y14, SP5).
• A local anaesthetic or nerve block you give for your own procedure is not payable separately (SP5).
• The major pre-operative visit, where the decision to operate is made, isn't included in the surgical fee and is billed separately (GP4, SP2).
• Listed fees are unilateral; when more than one procedure, including the other ear, is done under the same anaesthesia, the major procedure pays 100% and the other 85% (SP2, SP4).
• Detention (K001) is not payable with non-IOP surgery like E318 (GP31).
• Surgical procedures for children pay an age premium: 30% under 30 days, 25% to age 1, 20% to age 2, 15% to age 5 and 10% from 5 to 15 years (GP64).

Often billed with

• The consultation or assessment at which the decision to drain is made, as the major pre-operative visit (GP4, SP2).

Related codes: E317, E305, E306, Z915, Z909

Source: Schedule of Benefits (July 1, 2026), Aural Surgical Procedures, External Ear, page Y14; Surgical Preamble SP1-SP5; General Preamble GP4, GP31 and GP64

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