How do I fix OHIP error code V16?

Open the rejected claim and look at the diagnostic code. Replace it with the code from the Ministry's Diagnostic Codes list that matches the main reason for the visit. Use digits only. Check that the fee code fits the patient's age and the service provided. If it doesn't, correct the fee code too. Resubmit the corrected claim. If more than three months have passed since the service date and the original claim was sent on time, use the stale-dated claim process described under VJ7.

When shouldn't I resubmit a V16 claim?

Nothing on the claim has changed. It will reject again. The fee code can't be billed for this patient. Changing only the diagnostic code won't help.

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Error code

V16 — Unacceptable Diagnostic Code

Q: What does OHIP error code V16 mean?

V16 means OHIP could not accept the diagnostic code on the claim, usually because it isn't in the plain numeric form OHIP requires.

Diagnostic code not accepted

OHIP couldn't accept the diagnostic code, usually because it isn't in the plain numeric form required.

What to do: Replace it with the matching code from the Ministry's Diagnostic Codes list, digits only, and check the fee code suits the patient's age.

Code: V16
Description: Unacceptable Diagnostic Code

Explanation

Updated October 26, 2026

V16 means OHIP could not accept the diagnostic code on the claim, usually because it isn't in the plain numeric form OHIP requires.

What it means

Every OHIP diagnostic code is a number from the Ministry's Diagnostic Codes list, which is based on the ICD system. The Ministry's rejection list describes V16 as an unacceptable diagnostic code and gives 'not numeric' as the reason.

V16 is different from V22, where the code is not a valid OHIP diagnostic code, and from V21, where a required diagnostic code is missing. In APEX's claims data, V16 also appears on venipuncture and assessment claims where the fee code billed doesn't suit the patient's age, so check the fee code as well as the diagnosis.

Common causes

Letters, decimal points or spaces in the diagnostic code field.
A code from another system, such as ICD-10 (for example J06.9), instead of an OHIP code.
A text description entered in place of the code.
An age-specific fee code billed for a patient outside that age range.

How to fix it

Open the rejected claim and look at the diagnostic code.
Replace it with the code from the Ministry's Diagnostic Codes list that matches the main reason for the visit. Use digits only.
Check that the fee code fits the patient's age and the service provided. If it doesn't, correct the fee code too.
Resubmit the corrected claim. If more than three months have passed since the service date and the original claim was sent on time, use the stale-dated claim process described under VJ7.

Don't resubmit if

Nothing on the claim has changed. It will reject again.
The fee code can't be billed for this patient. Changing only the diagnostic code won't help.

How APEX handles it

For family practice claims, APEX looks up the patient's date of birth and proposes the age-appropriate venipuncture code (for G480A, G482A or G489A) or assessment code. Claims it can't fix this way are listed for you to correct. See how APEX works · Pricing

Related codes: V22, V21, V20, V30