Billing code
S312A — Laparotomy, With Or Without Biopsy Or For Hirschsprung's Disease (except Biopsies Of Stomach, Liver, Pancreas And Multiple Paraaortic Lymph Nodes
Open abdominal exploration
Bill S312 for a laparotomy with or without biopsy, or to divide adhesions when no other abdominal surgery is done.
Watch for: Not billable with other intra-abdominal procedures except Z-code procedures; trauma laparotomy is S321.
| Provider | Specialist | Assistant | Anaesthetist | Non-anaesthetist |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $485.25 | $0.00 | $77.46 | $111.72 | $111.72 |
- Code
- S312A
- Description
- Laparotomy, With Or Without Biopsy Or For Hirschsprung's Disease (except Biopsies Of Stomach, Liver, Pancreas And Multiple Paraaortic Lymph Nodes
- 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
Laparotomy, with or without biopsy, or for Hirschsprung's disease. Also used for division of adhesions when no other abdominal surgery is done.
What it covers
S312 is laparotomy with or without biopsy, or for Hirschsprung's disease, except biopsies of stomach, liver, pancreas and multiple para-aortic lymph nodes (S34).
It is also the code for division or removal of adhesions when no other abdominal surgery is done (S34, S22).
Billing rules
- Not billable with other intra-abdominal procedures, except independent operative procedures (Z-codes) (S34).
- A diagnostic laparoscopy done before the laparotomy is claimed as E860 (S33).
- Exploratory laparotomy followed by a colostomy through another incision: colostomy at 100%, laparotomy at 85% (S33).
- Laparotomy for acute trauma is S321 instead (S34).
- Extra biopsies taken while operating in the abdomen are given independent consideration (SP5).
- Non-elective surgery in the evening, at night, on weekends or holidays takes E409 or E410 (GP104).
- E676 morbid obesity premium may apply when BMI is over 40 and recorded (SP6, SP7).
Often billed with
- E860 diagnostic laparoscopy before laparotomy (S33).
- E745 insertion of tubes with post-operative continuous peritoneal lavage, when combined with another abdominal procedure (S34).
Related codes: S321, E860, Z552, Z553, E745, S187, S324
Source: Schedule of Benefits (July 1, 2026), Digestive System Surgical Procedures, Abdomen, Peritoneum and Omentum, page S34.
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