E079 – Initial discussion with patient re: smoking cessation
OHIP Surgical Assists Code — CONSULTATIONS AND VISITS · Schedule of Benefits
Initial discussion with patient re: smoking cessation is the service rendered to a patient who currently smokes by the primary care physician most responsible for their patient's ongoing care, in accordance with the guidelines and subject to the conditions below.
When to Use
- Use E079 when performing the initial structured smoking cessation intervention during a standard office visit (A007) or a chronic disease management visit (K030).
- Apply this code when initiating the 5A's model (Ask, Advise, Assess, Assist, Arrange) for a patient who currently smokes, provided it is the first such documented discussion.
Common Pitfalls
- Billing E079 as a standalone service will result in rejection; it must be submitted on the same claim as a qualifying visit code like A007 or K005.
- Claiming E079 for a follow-up discussion is an audit risk, as the code is strictly limited to the 'initial' intervention per patient.
- Failing to explicitly document the 5A's model or a CTI-compliant flow sheet makes the claim ineligible for payment during a Ministry audit.
Billing Tips
- Ensure your EMR template for smoking cessation includes the specific '5A's' components to satisfy the documentation requirements for the CTI program.
- If you have already billed E079 for a patient, use K039 for subsequent counseling sessions, as E079 is a one-time-only premium.
Effective: April 1, 2026
A. Consultations and Visits
CONSULTATIONS AND VISITS
Premium
Other Premiums (including After Hours Procedure Premiums)
The medical record for this service must document that an initial smoking cessation discussion has taken place, by either completion of a flow sheet or other documentation consistent with the most current guidelines of the “Clinical Tobacco Intervention” (CTI) program, or the service is not eligible for payment.
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