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Billing code

E717A — Biopsy and/or angiodysplasia coagulation (add-on)

Colonoscopy biopsy or coagulation

Add to a colonoscopy or Z580 flexible sigmoidoscopy for biopsy or coagulation of angiodysplastic lesions.

Watch for: Bill once however many lesions; not payable with E785.

Code

E717A

Description

Biopsy and/or angiodysplasia coagulation (add-on)

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 to a colonoscopy (Z491–Z499, Z555) or flexible sigmoidoscopy (Z580) for biopsy and/or coagulation of angiodysplastic lesions. Not with E785.

What it covers

E717 is an add-on to a colonoscopy code (Z491, Z492, Z493, Z494, Z495, Z496, Z497, Z498, Z499 or Z555) or to Z580 flexible sigmoidoscopy, when biopsy and/or coagulation of angiodysplastic lesion(s) is done. The listing reads 'one or more' (S18).

The colonoscopy base codes are each defined as 'sigmoid to descending colon' and differ by indication, such as signs or symptoms (Z496), screening (Z555) or a positive screening test (Z497) (S16–S17).

Billing rules

• Payable only with Z491–Z499, Z555 or Z580 (S18).
• The listing reads 'lesion(s) (one or more)': one E717 is billed whether one or several biopsies or lesions are treated (S18).
• Not payable with E785, the multiple-biopsy add-on for surveillance of inflammatory bowel disease (S18).
• Z580 isn't payable with a colonoscopy code for the same patient the same day, so E717 goes with the one scope that is billed (S15).
• Marked '#': the fee doesn't include premises, equipment, supplies or staff, which are funded by the hospital budget or ICHSC facility costs; patients can't be charged for them (GP13).

Often billed with

• Z496 or the colonoscopy code for the indication, with the extent add-ons E740, E741, E747 and E705 (S17–S18).
• E749 when the colonoscopy or Z580 is done in a private office, not a hospital or ICHSC (S18–S19).

Related codes: E785, Z496, Z580, Z555, E740, E747, E749

Source: Schedule of Benefits (July 1, 2026), Digestive System Surgical Procedures, Intestines (Except Rectum), Colonoscopy, page S18 (base codes S16–S17; Z580 S15)

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