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Billing code

K196A — Family Psychiatric Care - Out-patient - Per Unit

Out-patient family psychiatric care

Bill K196 per half-hour unit for a psychiatrist's out-patient care with family members or outside caregivers present.

Watch for: Time must be consecutive with start and stop times charted; a same-day assessment needs a clearly different diagnosis.

Code

K196A

Description

Family Psychiatric Care - Out-patient - Per Unit

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

Out-patient family psychiatric care by a psychiatrist, per half-hour unit, with family members or outside caregivers present. Chart start and stop times.

What it covers

Psychiatric care is any combination of assessment and treatment of mental illness, behavioural maladaptations or emotional problems that considers the patient's biological and psychosocial functioning. Family psychiatric care is that care given in the presence of one or more family members, or of professional caregivers not on staff where the patient is receiving care (GP56).

K196 is the out-patient code in the Psychiatry (19) listing; in-patient family psychiatric care is K191 (A190). The note printed under the K196/K191 listing says family psychotherapy is claimed against the patient's health number and diagnosis (A190).

Billing rules

• Units are half an hour or major part: 1 unit = at least 20 minutes, 2 = 46, 3 = 76, 4 = 106, then every 30 minutes more; count direct contact only, excluding other separately billable services (GP54, GP55, A190).
• Out-patient time must be consecutive (GP55).
• Record start and stop times in the chart, or the service is not eligible for payment (GP7).
• Not payable the same day as a consultation or other assessment by the same physician for the same patient unless the two have clearly different diagnoses (GP55). A191, A192, A197 and A198 are not eligible for payment for the same patient the same day as K196, with no diagnosis exception (A184).
• K187 (+15%) applies in the four weeks after a psychiatric in-patient discharge; K188 (+15%) in the six months after a suicide attempt; both can apply together when both conditions are met (A188).
• Comprehensive virtual care by video or telephone with K300A or K301A; telephone pays 85% of the in-person fee (AJ1, A70).

Often billed with

• K301A or K300A when the session is by telephone or video (A70, AJ1).
• K187 or K188 premiums after a recent psychiatric discharge or suicide attempt (A188).

Related codes: K191, K195, K198, K197, K187, K188, A197, A198

Source: Schedule of Benefits (July 1, 2026), Consultations and Visits, Psychiatry (19), Psychotherapy, Family Psychotherapy, Hypnotherapy and Psychiatric Care, page A190; premiums on A188; General Preamble GP54 to GP56; Appendix J page AJ1

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