Billing code
Z844A — Diagnostic paracentesis (eye)
Diagnostic eye paracentesis
Bill for diagnostic paracentesis of the eye for suspected infection, uveitis or cancer, with the sample sent for testing.
Watch for: Payable only if the sample is sent for analysis, and not the same day as Z851, E186, E187 or E149.
| Provider | Specialist | Assistant | Anaesthetist | Non-anaesthetist |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $100.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $95.76 | $95.76 |
- Code
- Z844A
- Description
- Diagnostic paracentesis (eye)
- 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
Diagnostic paracentesis of the eye for suspected intraocular infection, uveitis or suspected intraocular cancer, with the sample sent for testing.
What it covers
Z844 is a diagnostic paracentesis for one of three indications: suspected intraocular infection, intraocular inflammation or uveitis, or suspected cancer involving the intraocular structures or fluids (Y2).
Billing rules
- Only payable if the sample is sent for culture, cellular analysis and/or molecular analysis (Y2).
- Z851 is not payable the same day for the same patient (Y2).
- Not payable for the same patient on the same day as E186, E187 or E149 (Y2).
- This is a Z-code Independent Operative Procedure (IOP): if your major pre-operative visit was in the past 12 months, only a partial assessment (specialist) or minor assessment (GP) is payable before it that day; if the major pre-operative visit is the same day, no other assessment before it is payable (SP4).
- An anaesthetic or nerve block you give for your own procedure is not payable (SP5).
- Age premiums of 10% to 30% apply for patients under 16 (GP64).
Common rejections
- ADH: OHIP describes this as 'Cannot be billed together': Z844 isn't payable the same day as Z851, E186, E187 or E149 (Y2).
Related codes: Z851, E175, E149, E186, E187
Source: Schedule of Benefits (July 1, 2026), Ocular Surgical Procedures, Cornea, page Y2.
APEX checks every paid claim against the Schedule of Benefits and flags codes billed below what the visit qualified for. See how APEX works · Pricing