OHIP billing code for ear wax removal
Updated October 26, 2026
The OHIP billing code for ear wax removal is G420A, ear syringing and/or extensive curetting or debridement, $13.15 for one or both ears. It is insured only for impacted wax with hearing loss that cerumenolytic drops haven't fixed, or when the wax must come out to see the eardrum or ear canal; add G700A when it is the only reason for the visit.
| Code | What it is | Fee | When to bill it |
|---|---|---|---|
| G420A | Ear syringing and/or extensive curetting or debridement, unilateral or bilateral | $13.15 | Impacted wax causing hearing loss not helped by cerumenolytics, or wax that must be removed right away to see the eardrum or canal. One service covers both ears. |
| G700A | Basic fee-per-visit premium for (+) procedures | $8.80 | Add when ear syringing (alone or with other (+) procedures) is the only reason for the visit. |
How to bill it
Chart why removal was medically necessary: hearing loss from impacted wax that didn't respond to drops, or the need to see the eardrum or canal to diagnose or treat something.
Bill one G420A for the visit, even when you clear both ears. Don't bill one per ear.
If ear syringing was the only reason for the visit, add G700A. If you also assessed another problem and bill an assessment such as A001A or A007A, bill G420A with the assessment and leave G700A off.
Use diagnostic code 388 (wax or cerumen in ear).
Billing rules
- Insured only when there is impacted ear wax causing hearing loss that is unresponsive to topical cerumenolytics, or when immediate removal is medically necessary to visualize the tympanic membrane or ear canal for diagnosis or treatment (J97).
- One service covers one or both ears (J97).
- Not payable in addition to Z906, Z907, Z908 or Z913 (J97).
- Marked (+): add G700 when G420 is the sole reason for the visit, once per patient per day (J3, J97).
- Z915 (simple removal of a foreign body from the ear) claimed only for removing cerumen pays nil, so bill qualifying wax removal as G420 (Y14).
- May be delegated to a trained employee in your office, even when you aren't on site, for your own patient; the chart must name who did it. Not payable when that person is employed by a hospital, public health unit, long-term care home or Family Health Team (GP62–GP63).
- FHO: a core (in-basket) service and one of the Schedule 4 office procedures that count toward the office procedures special payment (Agreement p.67 §8.7, p.77, p.93).
Diagnostic codes
- 388: Wax or cerumen in ear, other disorders of ear and mastoid, tinnitus
Common rejections
- A3H: Maximum number of services reached. G420 covers one or both ears in a single service (J97), so billing two services for the same visit, one per ear, is a likely cause.
Questions
What is the OHIP billing code for ear wax removal?
The OHIP billing code for ear wax removal is G420A, ear syringing and/or extensive curetting or debridement, $13.15 for one or both ears. It is insured only for impacted wax with hearing loss that cerumenolytic drops haven't fixed, or when the wax must come out to see the eardrum or ear canal; add G700A when it is the only reason for the visit.
Can I bill G420A for routine ear cleaning?
No. G420A is insured only for impacted wax with hearing loss that drops haven't helped, or when the wax has to come out to see the eardrum or canal (J97). Removing wax for any other reason isn't covered by G420A.
Can my nurse do the ear syringing?
Yes, if the nurse is your own trained employee and the patient is your own patient; you don't have to be on site. Chart who did it. It isn't payable if the nurse is employed by a Family Health Team, hospital or public health unit (GP62–GP63).
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Sources
- Schedule of Benefits: Physician Services (effective July 1, 2026)
- OMA Primary Care Q-Codes Quick Reference Guide (updated November 20, 2020)
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