What are the billing rules for Z866A?

The listing carries 6 anaesthesia basic units: the surgeon bills Z866A and the anaesthetist Z866C (Y14, GP10). No separate claim for debridement of the ear under microscopy done only for access (Y14). If you did the major pre-operative visit in the previous 12 months, the only assessment payable the same day before the procedure is a minor assessment (family physician) or a partial assessment (specialist). If the decision to operate is made that same day, no other assessment before the procedure is payable (SP4).

What is Z866A often billed with?

A007 or another assessment when it is the visit where the decision to operate is made; the surgical fee doesn't include the major pre-operative visit (GP4, SP2, SP4).

Why is Z866A rejected?

V23: OHIP questioned the number of services on the line. Check the count and the suffix: the surgeon bills Z866A and the anaesthetist Z866C (GP10).

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Billing code

Z866A — Removal Of Foreign Body - Complicated, General Anaesthetic

Q: What is OHIP billing code Z866A?

Complicated removal of a foreign body from the external ear under general anaesthetic. Simple removal is Z915.

Complicated ear foreign body

Bill for complicated removal of a foreign body from the external ear under general anaesthetic; simple removal is Z915.

Watch for: The surgeon bills Z866A and the anaesthetist Z866C; microscopic debridement done only for access isn't claimed separately.

Provider	Specialist	Assistant	Anaesthetist	Non-anaesthetist
$50.90	$0.00	$0.00	$95.76	$95.76

Code: Z866A
Description: Removal Of Foreign Body - Complicated, General Anaesthetic
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

Complicated removal of a foreign body from the external ear under general anaesthetic. Simple removal is Z915.

What it covers

Z866 is the complicated removal of a foreign body from the external ear, done under general anaesthetic, in Aural Surgical Procedures (Y14). Removal needing post-auricular or endaural incisions is E302, and removal from the middle ear space is E303 (Y14).

As a Z-prefix code, Z866 is an independent operative procedure (IOP), payable in addition to an assessment (GP4).

Billing rules

The listing carries 6 anaesthesia basic units: the surgeon bills Z866A and the anaesthetist Z866C (Y14, GP10).
No separate claim for debridement of the ear under microscopy done only for access (Y14).
If you did the major pre-operative visit in the previous 12 months, the only assessment payable the same day before the procedure is a minor assessment (family physician) or a partial assessment (specialist). If the decision to operate is made that same day, no other assessment before the procedure is payable (SP4).
Multiple or bilateral IOPs at the same time are each paid in full, but pre- and post-operative care is claimed as if only one procedure was done (SP4).
Surgical procedures for children pay an age premium: 30% under 30 days, 25% to age 1, 20% to age 2, 15% to age 5 and 10% from 5 to 15 years (GP64).

Often billed with

A007 or another assessment when it is the visit where the decision to operate is made; the surgical fee doesn't include the major pre-operative visit (GP4, SP2, SP4).

Common rejections

V23: OHIP questioned the number of services on the line. Check the count and the suffix: the surgeon bills Z866A and the anaesthetist Z866C (GP10).

Related codes: Z915, E302, E303, Z906, Z909, G420

Source: Schedule of Benefits (July 1, 2026), Aural Surgical Procedures, External Ear, page Y14; Surgical Preamble SP2 and SP4; General Preamble GP4, GP10 and GP64

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