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Billing code

Z871A — Corneal ulcer cautery – local anaesthetic

Corneal ulcer cautery

Bill for cauterizing a corneal ulcer under local anaesthetic; debridement, cryotherapy, biopsy or puncture done with it are included.

Watch for: Under general anaesthetic, bill Z853 instead.

Code

Z871A

Description

Corneal ulcer cautery – local anaesthetic

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

Cautery of a corneal ulcer under local anaesthetic, including laser, electrocautery, debridement, cryotherapy, corneal biopsy or puncture.

What it covers

Ulcer cautery under local anaesthetic, listed under cornea procedures (Y3).

It includes laser and/or electrocautery, epithelial debridement, cryotherapy, corneal biopsy and/or corneal puncture (Y3). Under general anaesthetic, bill Z853 (Y3).

Billing rules

• Debridement, cryotherapy, corneal biopsy or puncture done with it are included (Y3).
• Z-codes are independent operative procedures (IOP). If you did the major pre-operative visit in the past 12 months, the only assessment payable before the IOP on the same day is a partial assessment for a specialist or a minor assessment for a GP (SP4).
• If the major pre-operative visit is the same day, no other consultation or assessment before the IOP is payable (SP4).
• Multiple or bilateral IOPs at the same time: bill each procedure in full, but pre- and post-op care only once (SP4).
• Age premiums for surgical procedures apply to patients under 16 (GP64).

Often billed with

• A partial assessment if the major pre-op visit was in the past 12 months (SP4).

Related codes: Z853, Z847, Z848, Z849, A234

Source: Schedule of Benefits (July 1, 2026), Ocular Surgical Procedures, Cornea, page Y3.

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