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Billing code

H153A — ED multiple systems assessment – Friday evening, weekend or holiday

Weekend ED multi-system assessment

Bill H153 for a detailed ED history and exam of more than one system, Friday 17:00–24:00 or weekends and holidays 08:00–24:00.

Watch for: Not paid fee-for-service in an ED under an alternative funding agreement, unless billed under its second on-call or GP Expert group number.

Code

H153A

Description

ED multiple systems assessment – Friday evening, weekend or holiday

FHO+ basket

Not in the FHO+ base rate basket (Schedule 2 or 2B).

Effective date

Apr 1, 2026

Termination date

No end date

Explanation

Updated October 26, 2026

ED multiple systems assessment (detailed history and exam of more than one system) by the ED physician on duty, Friday evening, weekend or holiday.

What it covers

A multiple systems assessment is an assessment in an emergency department or Hospital Urgent Care Clinic that includes a detailed history and examination of more than one system, part or region (A15).

This code is for services in the Friday evenings (17:00 to 24:00) and Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 08:00 to 24:00 time band (A16).

Billing rules

• Use H-prefix ED codes when you are working a scheduled ED or Hospital Urgent Care Clinic shift, or when you are on call and the visit doesn't qualify for a special visit premium. Any physician on duty, whatever the specialty, must use these codes (GP50).
• Patients 65 and older: the fee is increased by 15% (GP64).
• A later re-assessment is payable only if it is at least 2 hours after this assessment and further care or investigation is needed and done (A15).
• Add E420 (+50%) for a trauma patient whose Injury Severity Score is above 15 (age 16+) or above 12 (under 16), recorded in the chart, on the day of the trauma or within 24 hours. Submit it on the same claim (GP109).
• Special visit premiums are not payable with H-prefix ED codes (GP65).
• Not payable fee-for-service in an ED covered by an alternative funding agreement, except under the AFA's second on-call or GP Expert group numbers (GP110).
• For H-prefix ED codes, holidays include December 25 to 31 as well as the usual holidays (GP3).

Often billed with

• H154 re-assessment when the criteria are met (A15).
• H105 in-patient interim admission orders when another physician will admit the patient (A16).
• H264 pelvic exam with speculum (A18).

Common rejections

• ESD: The hospital ED is part of an alternative funding agreement, so H-prefix services there aren't paid fee-for-service unless billed under the AFA's second on-call or GP Expert group number (GP110).

Related codes: H152, H151, H154, H103, H133, H123, H065

Source: Schedule of Benefits (July 1, 2026), Consultations and Visits, Family Practice & Practice in General (00) – Emergency Department Physician, page A16; definitions A15, GP50.

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