E031C – General anaesthesia or deep sedation
OHIP Surgical Assists Code — GENERAL PREAMBLE · Schedule of Benefits
When a physician renders an anaesthesia service in support of services performed by another physician listed in Nerve Blocks for Acute Pain Management, Interventional Pain Injections or the Peripheral/Other Nerve Block sections of the Schedule the anaesthesia service is eligible for payment as general anaesthesia or deep sedation, with a value of 4 basic units plus time units. Definitions from the Schedule of Benefits (): * Deep Sedation: A drug-induced depression of consciousness during which patients cannot be easily aroused but respond purposefully following repeated or painful stimulation. The ability to independently maintain ventilatory function may be impaired. Patients may require assistance in maintaining a patent airway, and spontaneous ventilation may be inadequate. Cardiovascular function is usually maintained. * General Anaesthesia: A drug-induced loss of consciousness during which patients are not arousable, even by painful stimulation. The ability to independently maintain ventilatory function is often impaired. Patients often require assistance in maintaining a patent airway, and positive pressure ventilation may be required because of depressed spontaneous ventilation or drug-induced depression of neuromuscular function. Cardiovascular function may be impaired. Note: Extra units listed on are not payable with E031C.
When to Use
- Use E031C when providing deep sedation or general anaesthesia specifically to support interventional pain procedures or nerve blocks that would otherwise be performed under local anaesthesia.
- Select E031C when the clinical requirement for airway management or deep sedation exceeds the scope of standard monitored anaesthesia care (MAC) for pain management procedures.
Common Pitfalls
- Attempting to bill extra units from the GP97 list alongside E031C, which is explicitly prohibited by the Schedule of Benefits.
- Billing Z432C in conjunction with E031C, as Z432C is ineligible for payment when provided as an anaesthesia service for nerve blocks.
- Confusing E031C with standard anaesthesia codes; ensure the procedure being supported is strictly within the Nerve Blocks or Interventional Pain Injection sections.
Billing Tips
- Always ensure your time units are calculated accurately based on the start and end times of the anaesthesia service, as E031C is strictly limited to 4 basic units plus time.
- When applicable, stack E031C with the appropriate Special Visit Premium (C998C, C985C, or C999C) and After Hours/Nights premiums (E400C/E401C) to maximize the claim value for eligible off-hours procedures.
Ready to bill this code?
SnapBill makes OHIP billing simple — auto-filled codes, validation, and batch submission.