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Billing code

H988A — Sat., Sun. And Holidays (07:00 - 24:00)

ED callback first patient, weekend

Bill H988 for the first patient an ED physician sees after travelling in for a special visit, weekends and holidays 07:00–24:00.

Watch for: Payable only if you had to travel to the ED; bill it with the A-prefix assessment, not H-prefix ED codes.

Code

H988A

Description

Sat., Sun. And Holidays (07:00 - 24:00)

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

First person seen premium for an ED physician who travels in to the emergency department, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays (07:00 to 24:00).

What it covers

H988 is the first person seen premium in Special Visit Premium Table V, for the first patient an Emergency Department Physician sees after travelling to the ED for a special visit during Saturdays, Sundays and holidays (07:00 to 24:00) (GP66, GP74).

For ED physicians, person-seen premiums are payable only when you had to travel to the ED (GP67).

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).
• Maximum 10 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

• H963 travel premium for the trip (GP74).
• The A-prefix General Listings assessment for the patient (GP69).
• The procedure you performed, if any (GP65).

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: H963, H989, H980, H984, H986, K990

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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