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E552
E552 – Bone/fascial/dermis grafts - same incision
OHIP Surgical Assists Code — MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM SURGICAL PROCEDURES · Schedule of Benefits
This is an add-on fee payable in addition to a primary surgical procedure when an autogenous bone, fascial, or dermis graft is obtained through the same incision. This fee is listed as 'same incision - add 58.45' in the Schedule.
When to Use
- Use E552 when harvesting an autogenous bone graft during a fracture fixation or arthrodesis where the graft site is accessed through the same incision as the primary procedure.
- Use E552 when obtaining a local fascial or dermis graft for reconstructive purposes, provided the harvest site does not require a separate, distinct surgical incision.
- Use E552 as an add-on to primary musculoskeletal procedures (e.g., ORIF or reconstructive surgeries) to compensate for the additional time and effort of harvesting autogenous tissue.
Common Pitfalls
- Do not bill E552 if the graft is harvested through a separate incision; use E553 (Bone/fascial/dermis grafts - separate incision) instead.
- Avoid billing E552 for the use of allografts or synthetic bone substitutes, as this code is strictly for autogenous tissue harvesting.
- Do not attempt to bill E552 in addition to E551 (Bone graft - from iliac crest), as E551 is a distinct procedure code for a specific harvest site that typically involves a separate incision.
Billing Tips
- Ensure the primary procedure code is listed first on the claim, followed by E552, to ensure the add-on logic is correctly processed by the system.
- If the harvest requires a significant extension of the primary incision, clearly document that the graft was obtained through the same surgical access point to justify the use of E552 over E553.
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