E481 – Osteochondroplasty
OHIP Surgical Assists Code — MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM SURGICAL PROCEDURES · Schedule of Benefits
This is an add-on service to elbow arthroscopy (R683) for an osteochondroplasty involving extensive bone and arthrofibrotic tissue removal. Payment for E481 is conditional on the resection portion of the procedure requiring a minimum of two hours. As per the payment rule on , osteochondroplasty lasting less than two hours is considered a component of the primary arthroscopy procedure and is not separately billable.
When to Use
- Use E481 when performing an extensive osteochondroplasty during an elbow arthroscopy (R683) where the resection portion of the procedure specifically exceeds two hours.
- Use E481 for complex arthrofibrotic tissue removal in the elbow that requires significant operative time, provided the two-hour threshold for the resection component is met.
Common Pitfalls
- Billing E481 when the total arthroscopy time is two hours, but the specific resection portion is less than two hours; the two-hour requirement applies strictly to the resection, not the entire R683 procedure.
- Attempting to bill E481 alongside E482 or E483, which is prohibited as only one of these codes is payable per patient per day when performed with R683.
Billing Tips
- Ensure your operative report explicitly states the start and end times for the resection portion of the procedure to substantiate the two-hour requirement during a potential audit.
- Verify that the total time documented for the resection is distinct from the total time of the R683 arthroscopy to avoid rejection for insufficient documentation.
Effective: April 1, 2025
N. Musculoskeletal System Surgical Procedures
MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM SURGICAL PROCEDURES
Procedure
Musculoskeletal System Surgical Procedures
The medical record must document that the resection for the osteochondroplasty required a minimum of 2 hours.
From (Elbow): Osteochondroplasty less than 2 hours in duration is included in R683.
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