E371 – Fusion to occiput
OHIP Surgical Assists Code — SPINAL SURGICAL PROCEDURES · Schedule of Benefits
This code represents the surgical procedure of fusing the cervical spine to the occiput. It is intended to be used as an add-on to a primary posterior cervical fusion with instrumentation, such as / screw fixation (e.g., E384, N528, N532). It is one of the options for an additional level of fusion, alongside E366 (additional disc level) and E377 (cervico-thoracic junction).
When to Use
- Use E371 when performing an occipito-cervical fusion as an extension of a primary posterior cervical instrumentation procedure (e.g., E384 or N532).
- Select E371 specifically for the cranial fixation portion of a construct that includes the occiput, distinct from standard cervical disc level fusions (E366) or cervico-thoracic junction extensions (E377).
Common Pitfalls
- Billing E371 as a standalone procedure will result in rejection; it must be submitted as an add-on to a primary posterior cervical fusion code.
- Attempting to bill E371 in conjunction with E366 for the same level is an error; ensure the anatomical scope of the fusion is correctly mapped to the appropriate add-on code to avoid audit flags.
Billing Tips
- Always link E371 to the primary procedure (e.g., E384, N528, or N532) on the same claim to satisfy the mandatory dependency requirement.
Effective: April 1, 2025
Z. Spinal Surgical Procedures
SPINAL SURGICAL PROCEDURES
Surgical
Spinal Surgical Procedures
Submit claims for levels fused in addition to E384 or E370 using one of E366, E371 or E377 as appropriate.
Submit claims for levels fused in addition to N528 or N513 using one of E366, E371, or E377 as appropriate.
Submit claims for levels fused in addition to N532 or N515 using one of E366, E371, or E377 as appropriate.
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