All codes
E250
E250 – Surgical time for Double Balloon enteroscopy (Z588)
OHIP Surgical Assists Code · Schedule of Benefits
Surgical time, to Z588, per 15 minutes or major part thereof
When to Use
- Use E250 when the complexity of the Double Balloon enteroscopy (Z588) requires a procedure time exceeding the standard duration, specifically for cases involving extensive small bowel evaluation or therapeutic interventions.
- Apply E250 for prolonged procedures where the physician is in continuous attendance in the procedure room for at least 8 minutes beyond the base procedure time to qualify for the first 15-minute unit.
Common Pitfalls
- Billing E250 for time spent on pre-procedure preparation or post-procedure documentation outside the procedure room, as the code strictly requires direct physician attendance inside the room.
- Attempting to bill other procedural codes on the same day as Z588; the Schedule of Benefits explicitly restricts all other surgical or procedural services when Z588 is claimed, with E250 being the sole exception.
- Miscalculating the 'major part thereof' rule, which requires at least 8 minutes of a 15-minute block to be completed to justify the unit.
Billing Tips
- Ensure the operative report explicitly documents the start and end times of the physician's direct attendance in the procedure room to substantiate the number of E250 units claimed during an audit.
- Always link E250 directly to the Z588 claim to avoid rejection, as it is a surgical add-on that cannot stand alone.
Provider Fee$100.00
Effective: April 1, 2026
Service Type
Surgical Add-on
Code Classes
Procedure
Time commences when the physician is first in attendance with the patient in the operating/procedure room and ends when the physician is no longer in attendance with that patient in the operating/procedure room.
Z588 is an all-inclusive fee code.
Time units are strictly based on direct contact time in the procedure room.
Ready to bill this code?
SnapBill makes OHIP billing simple — auto-filled codes, validation, and batch submission.