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Billing code

G438A — Colour vision detailed assessment – professional component

Detailed colour vision interpretation

Bill G438 for interpreting detailed colour vision testing when eye disease is present or suspected, not for routine screening.

Watch for: Requires a screening test plus at least two detailed tests; screening tests alone, such as Ishihara, don't qualify.

Code

G438A

Description

Colour vision detailed assessment – professional component

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

Interpretation of detailed colour vision testing when eye pathology is present or suspected. Not for routine screening.

What it covers

A colour vision detailed assessment is billed only when underlying pathology is present or suspected. It requires one screening test plus at least two detailed tests: 100 Hue, D-15, Lanthony New Colour Test or anomaloscope (J90).

Screening tests alone (such as Ishihara, HRR) are not this service (J90).

Billing rules

• Pathology must be present or suspected (J90).
• Requires a screening test plus at least two detailed tests (J90).
• Interpretation must be done personally by the physician who claims the professional component (J1).
• Supervision and associated clinical steps can be delegated to another physician if you can't do them (J1).
• Payable in addition to a consultation or assessment (J3).

Often billed with

• G850 technical component (J90).

Related codes: G850, G851, G437, G439

Source: Schedule of Benefits (July 1, 2026), Diagnostic and Therapeutic Procedures, Ophthalmology, page J90.

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