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C983B
C983B – Saturdays, Sundays or Holidays, daytime and evenings, first patient seen
OHIP Surgical Procedures Code — GENERAL PREAMBLE · Schedule of Benefits
A special visit premium payable for the first patient seen by a surgical assistant on each special visit to assist at non-elective surgery. This premium is applicable for services rendered on Saturdays, Sundays, or Holidays during the daytime and evening hours (07:00h - 24:00h). Payment is conditional upon the physician being required to travel from one location to another.
When to Use
- Use C983B when you are called in from home or another location specifically to assist with an emergency, non-elective surgery on a weekend or holiday between 07:00 and 24:00.
- Use this code when you are the first patient seen during a special visit to the hospital for an urgent surgical procedure that could not wait until the next scheduled operating day.
Common Pitfalls
- Billing C983B for routine weekend rounds or elective cases is a common audit trigger; it is strictly for non-elective, emergency surgical assistance.
- Failing to document the exact time of the special visit in the medical record will lead to claim rejection or clawback during an audit.
- Attempting to bill C983B when you are already physically present in the hospital for other duties violates the 'travel from one location to another' requirement.
Billing Tips
- Always pair C983B with the appropriate surgical assistant percentage premium (E400B) to maximize the claim value for weekend emergency cases.
- Ensure your claim includes the start time of the surgery, as this is the primary evidence used to verify the eligibility of the special visit premium.
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