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Billing code

G291A — - Each Additional Unilateral Block Following G291 Per Spinal Level Per Day When G291 Is Payable In Full (maximum 3 Per Day)

Occipital nerve block beyond 16

Bill G291 for the first occipital nerve block of the day once 16 have been paid that calendar year, with an independent expert's recommendation.

Watch for: Paid by independent consideration only with a written independent expert recommendation, renewed each time first blocks exceed 16.

Code

G291A

Description

- Each Additional Unilateral Block Following G291 Per Spinal Level Per Day When G291 Is Payable In Full (maximum 3 Per Day)

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

First occipital nerve block of the day beyond 16 per calendar year, paid by independent consideration with an expert's recommendation.

What it covers

G291 is the first occipital nerve block per day once 16 first blocks have been paid in the calendar year. It may be paid on an independent consideration (IC) basis when you submit a written recommendation from an independent expert (J80).

An independent expert has special knowledge of multidisciplinary management of chronic non-malignant pain, did not refer the patient, is not actively managing the patient, and gets no direct or indirect financial benefit from the blocks (J80).

Billing rules

• Maximum 1 per day, up to 16 blocks per IC request. A new written recommendation is needed each time first blocks exceed 16 (J80).
• Paid at nil when G264 is payable for the same patient the same day (J80).
• Overall maximum of 8 nerve blocks per patient per day for any combination; the ninth and later are not payable. Bilateral blocks count as two (J79).
• A block or anaesthetic you give in conjunction with your own diagnostic, therapeutic or surgical procedure is not payable (J79).
• Fees for obtaining or interpreting images for guidance (nerve stimulation, ultrasound, fluoroscopy) are not payable on top of the block (J79).
• Injection services listed elsewhere are not payable in addition for the same injection (J79).
• Add E958 (+50%) when alcohol or other sclerosing solutions are used (J82).

Often billed with

• G292 each additional unilateral block per spinal level the same day (J80).

Related codes: G264, G292, G265, G227

Source: Schedule of Benefits (July 1, 2026), Diagnostic and Therapeutic Procedures, Nerve Blocks - Peripheral/Other Injections, page J80. Section rules J79.

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