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Billing code

U021A — Dermatology minor e-assessment

Brief dermatology e-consult

Bill U021 when a dermatologist gives a brief e-assessment answering a specific question sent electronically by a primary care physician or nurse practitioner.

Watch for: Include the requesting physician's or nurse practitioner's provider number on the claim, or it isn't payable.

Code

U021A

Description

Dermatology minor e-assessment

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

A brief dermatologist e-assessment answering a primary care physician's or NP's specific clinical question.

What it covers

An e-assessment is a specialist's opinion or management advice given after a primary care physician or nurse practitioner sends patient information electronically through a secure server (e.g. secure messaging or EMR); the specialist must review all relevant data sent, including later additions (GP35).

A minor e-assessment is a brief one: review the information sent and answer a specific clinical question, such as a dosing adjustment for a treatment you recommended. One service may include several emails; you may reply by phone (GP39).

Billing rules

• Limits: one per patient per day, 12 per patient per 12 months (same physician), and 2,000 per physician per 12 months (GP39).
• Pay only if you give your opinion or recommendations to the primary care physician or NP within 30 days of the request (GP35).
• Not payable when the purpose is to arrange transfer of care, or a consultation, visit, K-prefix time-based service, procedure or test; or if you give a K-prefix time-based service to the patient within 30 days after the request; or if either physician is paid other than fee-for-service for it (GP35).
• Your chart must hold the patient's name and health number, the requester's name, the date and reason for the request, and your opinion or advice (GP36).
• Include the primary care physician's or NP's provider number on the claim, or it is not payable (GP36).
• Not payable to a supervising physician when a medical trainee provides it (GP81).

Common rejections

• ARF: Missing referring provider number: an e-assessment is only payable with the primary care physician's or nurse practitioner's provider number on the claim (GP36).

Related codes: U025, U023, U026, A024, K738

Source: Schedule of Benefits (July 1, 2026), Consultations and Visits, Dermatology (02), page A91; rules GP35–GP39.

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