Billing code
Z591A — Paracentesis – therapeutic drainage
Therapeutic paracentesis
Bill for abdominal paracentesis with therapeutic drainage, with or without a diagnostic sample.
Watch for: Add E542 outside hospital and E724 when a chemotherapy or sclerosing agent is given.
| Provider | Specialist | Assistant | Anaesthetist | Non-anaesthetist |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $57.65 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $95.76 | $95.76 |
- Code
- Z591A
- Description
- Paracentesis – therapeutic drainage
- 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
Abdominal paracentesis with therapeutic drainage, with or without a diagnostic sample.
What it covers
Z591 is paracentesis (aspiration of the peritoneal cavity) with therapeutic drainage, with or without a diagnostic sample (S34).
Paracentesis for a diagnostic sample only is Z590; paracentesis with lavage for diagnosis is Z763 (S34).
Billing rules
- Add E542 when performed outside hospital (S34).
- Add E724 for administration of a chemotherapy or sclerosing agent (S34).
- Ultrasound guidance can be billed as J149, including by an ED physician (G11, A16).
- Surgical procedure: age premiums apply for patients under 16, from +10% (age 5–15) up to +30% (under 30 days) (GP64).
- Non-elective and done after hours: ED physicians billing H-codes add E412 (+20%, evenings/weekends/holidays) or E413 (+40%, 00:00–07:00); other physicians add E409 or E410 (GP104).
Often billed with
- E542 outside hospital (S34).
- E724 for a chemotherapy or sclerosing agent (S34).
Related codes: Z590, Z763, E724, E542, J149
Source: Schedule of Benefits (July 1, 2026), Digestive System Surgical Procedures, Abdomen, Peritoneum and Omentum, page S34.
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