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Billing code

Z915A — Removal Of Foreign Body - Simple

Simple ear foreign body removal

Bill for simple removal of a foreign body from the external ear; an assessment can be billed in addition.

Watch for: Billed only for removing ear wax it pays nil; qualifying wax removal is G420.

Code

Z915A

Description

Removal Of Foreign Body - Simple

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

Simple removal of a foreign body from the external ear. Billed only for removing ear wax, it pays nil; qualifying wax removal is G420.

What it covers

Z915 is the simple removal of a foreign body from the external ear (Y14). Complicated removal under general anaesthetic is Z866; removal needing post-auricular or endaural incisions is E302; removal from the middle ear space is E303 (Y14).

As a Z-prefix code, Z915 is an independent operative procedure (IOP), payable in addition to an assessment (GP4). It has no # prefix, so its fee includes premises, equipment, supplies and personnel (SP1).

Billing rules

• Z915 claimed solely for removal of cerumen is payable at nil (Y14).
• Wax removal is G420, insured only for impacted wax with hearing loss that doesn't respond to cerumenolytics, or when immediate removal is needed to see the tympanic membrane or ear canal (J97).
• 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).
• 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).
• FHO: Z915A is on Schedule 4, so Z915A services to enrolled patients count toward the office procedures special payment (Agreement p.67 §8.7, p.97).

Often billed with

• A007 intermediate assessment, or A003, when it is the visit where you decide to remove the foreign body (GP4, SP4).
• A001 minor assessment, when the decision to remove it was made at an earlier visit in the past 12 months (SP4).

Related codes: Z866, E302, E303, G420, Z909, A001

Source: Schedule of Benefits (July 1, 2026), Aural Surgical Procedures, External Ear, page Y14; Surgical Preamble SP1 and SP4; Ear syringing J97; FHO Agreement 2026-04 p.67 §8.7 and Schedule 4 p.97

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