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Billing code

J157C — Gestational age ultrasound for Maternal Serum Screening (before 16 weeks)

Dating ultrasound for serum screening

Bill J157 for a pregnancy ultrasound that sets gestational age for the Maternal Serum Screening Program, before 16 weeks.

Watch for: Maximum one per normal pregnancy; a second claim rejects as service limit exceeded.

Code

J157C

Description

Gestational age ultrasound for Maternal Serum Screening (before 16 weeks)

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

Pregnancy ultrasound for gestational age for the Maternal Serum Screening Program, before 16 weeks. Maximum one per normal pregnancy.

What it covers

J157 is a pregnancy ultrasound to establish gestational age for the Maternal Serum Screening Program, done before 16 weeks' gestation (G5).

Billing rules

• Before 16 weeks' gestation only (G5).
• Maximum one per normal pregnancy (G5).
• Abdominal, pelvic or pregnancy ultrasounds on the same day, same patient, by any physician as a J168 nuchal translucency scan are not payable (G5).
• Bill the technical component (H column) with suffix B and the professional component (P column) with suffix C (G2, rule 1).
• The technical component is payable only at a hospital or a hospital's approved off-site premises; outside hospital, only the professional component (suffix C) is billable to OHIP (G1; G2, rule 2).
• The technical component isn't payable for in-patients, or when the patient is admitted to the same hospital within 24 hours for the same condition (GP11).
• The physician claiming the professional component must personally interpret the study (G1, note 1).
• Pregnancy ultrasound is insured when referred by a midwife, in an ICHSC or hospital (GP111).

Common rejections

• AM1: 'Service limit exceeded': J157 was already paid in this normal pregnancy (G5).

Related codes: J168, J158, J159, J160, J163

Source: Schedule of Benefits (July 1, 2026), Diagnostic Ultrasound, Pregnancy, page G5.

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