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A488
A488 – Partial assessment
OHIP General Listings Code — CONSULTATIONS AND VISITS · Schedule of Benefits
A partial assessment is the limited service that constitutes a history of the presenting complaint, the necessary physical examination, advice to the patient and appropriate record.
When to Use
- Use A488 for follow-up visits for established rheumatologic conditions like osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis where a focused history, brief exam, and management plan are provided.
- Bill A488 when a patient presents for a specific, limited complaint related to their rheumatologic condition, such as a new joint effusion requiring assessment and advice, but not a full complex assessment (A480).
- A488 is appropriate for reviewing recent lab results or imaging related to a chronic rheumatologic condition and providing ongoing management advice.
Common Pitfalls
- Billing A488 for a new patient consultation or a complex, multi-system rheumatologic issue which would warrant a different assessment code like A480.
- Submitting A488 on the same day as another assessment or consultation (e.g., A485, A483) for the same patient, unless for a distinctly unrelated diagnosis.
- Using A488 when the service provided is more extensive and meets the criteria for a specific assessment (A483) or a complex rheumatology assessment (A480).
Billing Tips
- Ensure documentation clearly outlines the specific presenting complaint, the focused examination performed, and the advice given to the patient to support the A488 claim.
- A488 can be billed with the E078 chronic disease assessment premium if the patient has a documented chronic rheumatologic disease and the service is provided in an office or hospital outpatient setting by a rheumatologist.
Provider Fee$0.00
Specialist Fee$39.25
Effective: June 1, 2025
Category
A. Consultations and Visits
Subcategory
CONSULTATIONS AND VISITS
Service Type
Consultations and Visits
Code Classes
Assessment
History of the presenting complaint
Necessary physical examination
Advice to the patient
Appropriate record
A488 is listed under the General Listings for Rheumatology.
For services not listed in the Rheumatology section, physicians are directed to refer to the Internal Medicine section.
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