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Billing code

E785A — Colonoscopy – multiple biopsies for IBD surveillance

IBD surveillance biopsies

Add to a colonoscopy for multiple surveillance biopsies for inflammatory bowel disease-associated colorectal cancer or dysplasia.

Watch for: Needs diagnostic code 555, 556 or 576 and qualifying biopsy technique; E717 isn't payable with it.

Code

E785A

Description

Colonoscopy – multiple biopsies for IBD surveillance

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 for multiple surveillance biopsies looking for colorectal cancer or dysplasia linked to inflammatory bowel disease.

What it covers

E785 is added to a colonoscopy code (Z491, Z492, Z493, Z494, Z495, Z496, Z497, Z498, Z499 or Z555) for multiple biopsies to survey for inflammatory bowel disease-associated colorectal cancer or dysplasia (S18).

It needs either more than 34 random screening biopsies, or targeted biopsies using dye chromoendoscopy, virtual chromoendoscopy with narrow band imaging, or high-definition white-light endoscopy with HD-iScan or equivalent (S19).

Billing rules

• Bill with diagnostic code 555 (Crohn's disease), 556 (ulcerative colitis) or 576 (primary sclerosing cholangitis) (S18).
• Requires more than 34 random biopsy sites, or targeted biopsies with DCE, VCE with NBI, or HD-WLE with HD-iScan or equivalent (S19).
• Not payable with standard-definition white-light endoscopy (S19).
• E717 (biopsy or coagulation of angiodysplastic lesions) is not payable with E785 (S18).
• Only one colonoscopy code is payable per patient per day (S17).
• 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

• Z494 colonoscopy for bowel disorders with increased cancer risk, such as IBD (S17).
• E747 to cecum or E705 into terminal ileum (S18).

Common rejections

• V30: OHIP describes this as 'FSC/Diagnostic Code Combination Not A Benefit': E785 needs diagnostic code 555, 556 or 576 (S18).
• ADF: OHIP describes this as 'Corresponding Procedure Invalid, Omitted or Paid at zero': the base procedure (colonoscopy code Z491, Z492, Z493, Z494, Z495, Z496, Z497, Z498, Z499 or Z555) is missing from the claim, invalid, or paid at zero. Add-ons are payable only with their base code.
• ADH: OHIP describes this as 'Cannot be billed together': E717 isn't payable with E785 (S18).

Related codes: Z494, Z496, Z498, E717, E747, E705

Source: Schedule of Benefits (July 1, 2026), Digestive System Surgical Procedures, Intestines (Except Rectum), page S18; rules page S19.

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