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Billing code

E496A — Arthroscopic meniscal repair – knee

Arthroscopic meniscal repair

Add to knee arthroscopy for repair of the medial or lateral meniscus, including debridement of the attachment site.

Watch for: Not payable with R687, so bill it with R699; E495 isn't payable for the same meniscus.

Code

E496A

Description

Arthroscopic meniscal repair – knee

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

Arthroscopic add-on for repair of the medial or lateral meniscus, including debridement of the attachment site.

What it covers

E496 is repair of the medial or lateral meniscus, and includes debridement of the attachment site when rendered (N47).

It is an arthroscopic E-code. Open suture of a meniscus is R508 (N48).

Billing rules

• Arthroscopy E-codes other than E494, E495 and E476 are not payable with R687, so E496 goes with R699 (non-degenerative or acutely locked knee) (N45).
• E495 is not payable with E496 for the same meniscus (N47).
• Trimming of a meniscus does not count as E496 (N47).
• E489, E494 and E498 are not payable with E496 for debridement of the attachment site (N47).

Often billed with

• R699 knee arthroscopy set-up, non-degenerative or acutely locked knee (N45).

Common rejections

• ADF: OHIP describes this as 'Corresponding procedure invalid, omitted or paid at zero': the add-on was billed without a paid R699 on the same claim.

Related codes: R699, R687, E495, R508, E494

Source: Schedule of Benefits (July 1, 2026), Musculoskeletal System Surgical Procedures, Knee, page N47; arthroscopy payment rules N45.

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