What are the billing rules for R517A?

The major pre-operative visit (where the decision to operate is made) is not part of the surgical fee and is billed separately (GP4, SP2). When R517 is done as a minor procedure and at the same visit you assess and treat a completely unrelated, significant problem in another body system, claim the appropriate assessment as well (SP4). Anaesthesia: 6 basic units plus time units, billed as R517C (N4, SP5).

What is R517A often billed with?

E550 when a closed irrigation system is inserted during the procedure for post-operative management (N3). An assessment such as A007 or A004 when it is the major pre-operative visit, or, for a minor procedure, for an unrelated significant problem in another body system (GP4, SP2, SP4).

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Billing code

R517A — Excision Of Foreign Body

Q: What is OHIP billing code R517A?

Excision of a foreign body, from the musculoskeletal surgery General Fees. Post-op care to the first follow-up visit is included in the fee.

Foreign body excision

Bill R517 for excision of a foreign body under the musculoskeletal surgery listings; care up to the first follow-up visit is included.

Watch for: No assistant units are listed; an assistant is paid only after a medical consultant authorizes it, billed as M400B.

Provider	Specialist	Assistant	Anaesthetist	Non-anaesthetist
$107.70	$0.00	$0.00	$95.76	$95.76

Code: R517A
Description: Excision Of Foreign Body
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

Excision of a foreign body, from the musculoskeletal surgery General Fees. Post-op care to the first follow-up visit is included in the fee.

What it covers

R517 is excision of a foreign body, listed in the General Fees of the Musculoskeletal System Surgical Procedures section (N4) and again as foreign body removal under Excision, Muscles in the Elbow and Forearm listings (N18).

As a surgical procedure without a Z prefix, the fee includes preparing the patient, the operation, recovery-room care, arranging follow-up and post-operative care until the first post-operative visit (SP1). It is marked #: the fee doesn't include the premises, equipment, supplies and staff for the procedure itself (SP1).

Billing rules

The major pre-operative visit (where the decision to operate is made) is not part of the surgical fee and is billed separately (GP4, SP2).
When R517 is done as a minor procedure and at the same visit you assess and treat a completely unrelated, significant problem in another body system, claim the appropriate assessment as well (SP4).
Anaesthesia: 6 basic units plus time units, billed as R517C (N4, SP5).
No assistant units are listed. An assistant is paid only after a medical consultant authorizes it on a letter from the surgeon, billed as M400B (GP85).
With other procedures under the same anaesthetic, the major procedure is paid in full and the others at 85% (SP2).
The Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue listings have their own foreign body codes: Z114 (local anaesthetic) and Z115 (general anaesthetic), with Z100 for a complicated removal on an IC basis (M1).
Age premiums apply to patients under 16 (GP64).

Often billed with

E550 when a closed irrigation system is inserted during the procedure for post-operative management (N3).
An assessment such as A007 or A004 when it is the major pre-operative visit, or, for a minor procedure, for an unrelated significant problem in another body system (GP4, SP2, SP4).

Related codes: Z114, Z115, E550, R524

Source: Schedule of Benefits (July 1, 2026), Musculoskeletal System Surgical Procedures, General Fees, page N4 (also Elbow and Forearm, Excision - Muscles, page N18); Surgical Preamble SP1-SP5; General Preamble GP4, GP85

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