< Billing codes

Billing code

Z314A — Cauterization for epistaxis, unilateral

Nosebleed cauterization, one side

Bill for cauterizing the nose to treat a nosebleed on one side; an assessment can be billed too.

Watch for: Each side is a separate unilateral service; anterior packing is Z315 and posterior packing Z316.

Code

Z314A

Description

Cauterization for epistaxis, unilateral

FHO+ basket

Covered by the FHO+ base rate payment for enrolled patients, and shadow billed at 30% (50% for Schedule 2B procedures).

Effective date

Apr 1, 2026

Termination date

No end date

Explanation

Updated October 26, 2026

Cauterization of the nose for epistaxis, one side. Each side is a separate unilateral service; anterior packing is Z315.

What it covers

Z314 is cauterization for treatment of epistaxis (nasal haemorrhage), unilateral (P4). Other treatments are listed with it: anterior packing Z315 (unilateral), posterior packing Z316 (unilateral or bilateral), and examination under anaesthesia with suction cautery for posterior epistaxis Z317 (P1, P4).

As a Z code it is an independent operative procedure (IOP), payable in addition to an assessment (GP4). An anaesthetist can bill it with suffix C for 6 basic units when anaesthesia is given (P4, SP5).

Billing rules

• The listing is unilateral; when both sides are cauterized, or cautery and packing are done at the same time, each listed IOP is claimed in full, with pre- and post-operative care counted once (SP4).
• E839 is payable in addition when a flexible endoscope is used (P4).
• If the decision to treat is made at that day's visit, that visit is the major pre-operative visit and is billable; if you did the major pre-operative visit in the past 12 months, only a minor assessment (GP/FP) or partial assessment (specialist) is payable before the IOP that day (GP4, SP4).
• FHO: a Schedule 2B core service (50% shadow billing for enrolled patients) and a Schedule 4 office procedure (Agreement p.59 §4.4, p.88, p.67 §8.7, p.96).

Often billed with

• Z315 anterior packing at the same visit; multiple IOPs are each claimed in full (SP4).
• A007 at the visit where the bleeding is assessed and treated (GP4, SP4).

Related codes: Z315, Z316, Z317, Z313, E839, A007

Source: Schedule of Benefits (July 1, 2026), Respiratory Surgical Procedures, Nose, Treatment of Epistaxis, page P4 (Surgical Preamble SP4-SP5); FHO Physician Payment Agreement 2026-04 pp.59, 67, 82, 88, 96

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