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Billing code

H981A — Weekdays Daytime (07:00- 17:00)

ED callback extra patient, daytime

Bill H981 for each further patient an ED physician sees on the same special visit after travelling in, weekdays 07:00–17:00.

Watch for: Bill it with the A-prefix assessment, not H-prefix ED codes; maximum 5 first and additional person premiums combined per time period.

Code

H981A

Description

Weekdays Daytime (07:00- 17:00)

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

Premium for each additional patient an ED physician sees after travelling in to the ED, weekday daytime (07:00 to 17:00).

What it covers

H981 is the additional person seen premium in Special Visit Premium Table V, for each further ED patient seen on the same special visit during weekday daytime (07:00 to 17:00) (GP66, GP74).

Each additional patient's service must start during the eligible times (GP66).

Billing rules

• Only for an Emergency Department Physician as defined on GP67: scheduled to work in the ED that day but asked to come in at an unscheduled time while away from the hospital, or on scheduled ED call and away from the hospital when called (GP67).
• Only when you had to travel to the hospital ED (GP67).
• Each additional patient's service must begin during the eligible times (GP66).
• Maximum 5 first and additional person seen premiums combined per time period (GP74).
• Bill the A-prefix assessment from the General Listings with the premium. Premiums are not payable with H-prefix ED codes; if you were already at the hospital when asked, bill H-codes instead (GP65, GP68, GP69).
• Chart the time of the ED's request to attend and the specific situation that required you (GP69).

Often billed with

• H980 first person seen premium and H960 travel premium for the same trip (GP74).
• The A-prefix General Listings assessment for each patient (GP69).

Common rejections

• AD9: Premium not allowed alone: the special visit premium must be billed with the A-prefix service it accompanies (GP65, GP69).

Related codes: H980, H960, H985, H989, H987, K991

Source: Schedule of Benefits (July 1, 2026), General Preamble, Special Visit Premiums (Table V – Emergency Department by Emergency Department Physician), page GP74; rules GP65–GP69.

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