Billing code
Z520A — Change Of Gastrostomy Tube
Gastrostomy tube change
Bill for changing a gastrostomy tube; as an independent procedure, an assessment can be billed in addition.
Watch for: Patients can't be charged for premises, equipment, supplies or staff used outside a hospital or ICHSC.
| Provider | Specialist | Assistant | Anaesthetist | Non-anaesthetist |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $10.65 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
- Code
- Z520A
- Description
- Change Of Gastrostomy Tube
- FHO+ basket
- Not in the FHO+ base rate basket (Schedule 2 or 2B).
- Effective date
- Apr 1, 2025
- Termination date
- No end date
Explanation
Updated October 26, 2026
Change of a gastrostomy tube. A Z-code procedure billed in addition to an assessment, subject to the surgical preamble's pre-operative visit rules.
What it covers
Z520 is change of a gastrostomy tube (J45). It is listed in Diagnostic and Therapeutic Procedures under Gastroenterology and again in Digestive System Surgical Procedures under Stomach, Gastrostomy (S11).
As a Z-prefix code it is an independent operative procedure (IOP), payable in addition to an assessment, and the Surgical Preamble applies (GP4, J1). It carries the # prefix: in a hospital, the premises, equipment, supplies and staff are funded by the hospital (GP13, J1).
Billing rules
- Payable in addition to an assessment (GP4).
- If you did the major pre-operative visit in the previous 12 months, only a minor assessment (GP/FP) or partial assessment (specialist) is payable before the procedure that day (SP4).
- If the decision to do the procedure is made at that day's visit, that visit is the major pre-operative visit, and no other consultation or assessment before the procedure that day is payable (GP4, SP4).
- An unrelated, significant problem in another body system assessed at the same visit can also be billed (SP4).
- Patients can't be charged for premises, equipment, supplies or staff used for a # service done outside a hospital or ICHSC (GP13).
Often billed with
- A minor or intermediate assessment (A001/A007) at the same visit, within the SP4 limits (GP4, SP4).
Related codes: Z532, S118, G355, G356, A007
Source: Schedule of Benefits (July 1, 2026), Diagnostic and Therapeutic Procedures, Gastroenterology, page J45; also Digestive System Surgical Procedures, Stomach, page S11; Surgical Preamble SP4
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