< Billing codes

Billing code

E696A

Oesophageal dilatation

Add for dilatation of the oesophagus during oesophagoscopy-gastroscopy, with or without duodenoscopy.

Watch for: Must be billed with Z399 or Z400; pneumatic or balloon dilation is E698.

Code

E696A

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

Add-on for dilatation of the oesophagus done during oesophagoscopy-gastroscopy.

What it covers

E696 is dilatation of the oesophagus at the time of oesophagoscopy-gastroscopy, with or without duodenoscopy (S7).

Pneumatic or balloon dilation is the separate add-on E698 (S7).

Billing rules

• Add-on to oesophagoscopy-gastroscopy, with or without duodenoscopy (Z399 elective or Z400 for active bleeding) (S7).
• Marked #: premises, equipment, supplies and staff are funded by the hospital budget or ICHSC facility costs, and patients can't be charged for them (GP13).
• Under-16 age premiums (10–30%) apply to surgical procedures in Parts K to Z (GP64).

Often billed with

• Z399 or Z400 (S7).

Common rejections

• ADF: OHIP describes this as 'Corresponding Procedure Invalid, Omitted or Paid at zero': the base procedure (Z399 or Z400) is missing from the claim, invalid, or paid at zero. Add-ons are payable only with their base code.

Related codes: E698, Z399, Z400, Z515, E803

Source: Schedule of Benefits (July 1, 2026), Digestive System Surgical Procedures, Oesophagus, page S7.

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