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A256
A256 – Special optometrist-requested assessment
OHIP Consultations and Visits Code — CONSULTATIONS AND VISITS · Schedule of Benefits
A Special Optometrist-Requested Assessment is an assessment in which the ophthalmologist provides all the elements of an Optometrist-Requested Assessment (A253) and spends a minimum of 50 minutes in direct contact with the patient, exclusive of time spent rendering any other separately billable intervention to the patient.
Referral requiredFrom: Optometrist
The ophthalmologist must submit findings, opinions, and recommendations in writing to both the requesting optometrist and the patient’s primary care physician or nurse practitioner (if applicable).
Urgent or emergency requests may be initiated verbally but must be documented in writing.
The written request from the optometrist must be retained in the patient's permanent medical record.
Start and stop times of the service must be recorded in the patient's permanent medical record.
Usage limits
Limited to one per patient, per physician, per 24 month period.
The calculation of time for A256 excludes time devoted to any other service or procedure for which an amount is payable in addition to the assessment.
The calculation of time excludes non-patient-facing time (e.g., reviewing charts, imaging, or documentation).
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