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Billing code

G356A — Gastric Lavage - Therapeutic - With Or Without Ice Water Lavage

Therapeutic stomach lavage

Bill G356 for therapeutic gastric lavage, with or without ice water; diagnostic lavage is G355.

Watch for: Not payable the same day as your critical care codes (G521 to G523, G395, G391), which include gastric lavage.

Code

G356A

Description

Gastric Lavage - Therapeutic - With Or Without Ice Water Lavage

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

Therapeutic gastric lavage, with or without ice water. Diagnostic lavage is G355.

What it covers

G356 is therapeutic gastric lavage, with or without ice water lavage (J45). Diagnostic gastric lavage is G355 (J45).

Procedures in this section are payable in addition to a consultation or assessment unless the listing says they are included (J3).

Billing rules

• Payable in addition to a consultation or assessment (J3).
• Not payable to the same physician, same patient, same day as life-threatening critical care (G521, G523, G522, G391) or other critical care (G395, G391), which include nasogastric intubation with or without lavage (J26, J28).
• Listed as a major invasive procedure for after-hours premiums: when non-elective (or delayed by an emergency) and started in the evening, on a weekend or holiday, or at night, add E412 (+20%) or E413 (+40%) as an Emergency Department Physician billing H codes, or E409 (+50%) or E410 (+75%) otherwise (GP103, GP104).

Often billed with

• E412/E413 or E409/E410 when non-elective and done after hours (GP104).

Related codes: G355, G349, G322, G395, G521

Source: Schedule of Benefits (July 1, 2026), Diagnostic and Therapeutic Procedures, Gastroenterology, page J45.

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