Billing code
J149C — Ultrasonic Guidance Of Biopsy, Aspiration, Amniocentesis Or Drainage Procedures (one Physician Only)
Ultrasound-guided needle procedure
Bill J149 for ultrasound guidance of a biopsy, aspiration, amniocentesis or drainage; only one physician can bill it.
Watch for: A J138 or J161 done at the same visit is paid at nil, and guidance isn't payable with nerve blocks or sclerotherapy.
| Provider | Specialist | Assistant | Anaesthetist | Non-anaesthetist |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $54.95 | $56.45 | $56.45 |
- Code
- J149C
- Description
- Ultrasonic Guidance Of Biopsy, Aspiration, Amniocentesis Or Drainage Procedures (one Physician Only)
- 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
Ultrasound guidance for a biopsy, aspiration, amniocentesis or drainage procedure; one physician only.
What it covers
J149 is ultrasonic guidance of a biopsy, aspiration, amniocentesis or drainage procedure, payable to one physician only (G11). The professional component covers supervising the technical work, providing the guidance for the physician doing the procedure, and post-procedure monitoring where appropriate (G11).
The fee is split into a technical component (H, suffix B) and a professional component (P, suffix C) (G2).
Billing rules
- Bill the technical component with suffix B and the professional component with suffix C (G2).
- The technical component is payable only in a hospital or a hospital's approved off-site premises. Outside hospital, only the professional component (suffix C) is billable (G1, G2).
- J138 or J161 done at the same visit as J149 is payable at nil (G11).
- Emergency Department Physicians can bill J149 and H100, but no other ultrasound codes (A16).
- Image guidance isn't payable in addition to nerve blocks (J70, J79) or to sclerotherapy G536/G537 (J55).
- Not insured when used to support in-vitro fertilization or artificial insemination (G2).
Related codes: H100, J138, J161, J151, Z401
Source: Schedule of Benefits (July 1, 2026), Diagnostic Ultrasound, Ultrasonic Guidance, page G11; preamble G1–G2.
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