Billing code
Z187A — Complex Laceration Repair, Face
Complex facial laceration repair
Bill for a facial laceration repair taking at least 20 minutes with landmark alignment, three or more layers, or multiple ligated vessels.
Watch for: Chart the repair time; repairs not meeting the complex criteria use the regular laceration codes.
| Provider | Specialist | Assistant | Anaesthetist | Non-anaesthetist |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $101.15 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
- Code
- Z187A
- Description
- Complex Laceration Repair, Face
- 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
Complex repair of a facial laceration: at least 20 minutes plus alignment of key landmarks, three or more layers, or ligating multiple vessels.
What it covers
A complex facial laceration repair takes at least 20 minutes and needs at least one of: anatomical alignment of the vermilion border, eyebrow, eyelid or pinna; closure of three or more layers; or ligation of multiple bleeding vessels (M15).
It includes removing foreign bodies from the wound, irrigation and debridement (M16). Other areas are Z188; zone 1 digit repair is Z189 (M15, M16).
Billing rules
- Document the repair time (at least 20 minutes, excluding other separately billable services) in the chart (M16).
- Wound and ulcer debridement codes, Z128, Z129 and Z114 are not payable in addition for the same repair (M10, M16).
- Plastic surgery codes R150–R154 are not payable for any laceration repair (M16).
- Repairs not meeting the complex criteria use the regular laceration codes such as Z154, Z177, Z190 or Z192 (M16).
- A Z code is an independent operative procedure: if your decision-to-operate visit was in the prior 12 months, only a minor (GP) or partial (specialist) assessment is payable before it the same day (SP4 §13).
- Age premiums apply to surgical procedures for children: +30% under 30 days down to +10% for ages 5 to 15 (GP64).
Related codes: Z188, Z189, Z154, Z177, Z190, Z192
Source: Schedule of Benefits (July 1, 2026), Integumentary System Surgical Procedures, Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue, page M15–M16.
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