Billing code
Z783A — Secondary Closure
Delayed wound closure
Bill for secondary closure, the delayed surgical closure of a wound; an assessment can be billed in addition.
Watch for: Debridement of a wound healing by secondary intention isn't payable as Z783.
| Provider | Specialist | Assistant | Anaesthetist | Non-anaesthetist |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $97.35 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $111.72 | $111.72 |
- Code
- Z783A
- Description
- Secondary Closure
- 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
Secondary closure: the delayed surgical closure of a wound. Not payable for debridement of a wound left to heal by secondary intention.
What it covers
Z783 is secondary closure, listed in the General Fees of the Musculoskeletal System Surgical Procedures section (N4). It is listed again next to fasciotomy for compartment syndrome in the elbow and forearm (N17) and fibula and tibia (N50) listings; the elbow and forearm fasciotomy R495 states that it doesn't include secondary closure of the wound (N17).
As a Z code it is an independent operative procedure (IOP), payable in addition to an assessment (GP4). It is marked #, so premises, equipment, supplies and staff for the procedure itself aren't included (SP1).
Billing rules
- Only for the delayed surgical closure of a wound (N4).
- Debridement of a wound that is healing by secondary intention is not payable as Z783 (N4).
- When the same surgeon does it within 14 days during the same hospitalization for the same condition, for example after a fasciotomy, the major procedure is paid in full and the other at 85%; this applies to staged procedures (SP2).
- 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 Z783 that day (SP4).
- Anaesthesia: 7 basic units plus time units (N4, SP5). No assistant units are listed, so an assistant needs medical consultant authorization and is billed as M400B (GP85).
Often billed with
- R495 fasciotomy for compartment syndrome, whose fee doesn't include the secondary closure (N17).
Related codes: R495, Z176, Z154, Z080, E556
Source: Schedule of Benefits (July 1, 2026), Musculoskeletal System Surgical Procedures, General Fees, page N4 (also N17, N50); Surgical Preamble SP1-SP4; General Preamble GP4, GP85
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