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E656
E656 – Aortic annuloplasty
OHIP Surgical Assists Code — CARDIOVASCULAR SURGICAL PROCEDURES · Schedule of Benefits
Aortic annuloplasty (reconstruction and enlargement of aortic annulus), to R732 and/or patch aortoplasty.
When to Use
- Use E656 when performing a formal reconstruction or enlargement of the aortic annulus, specifically in conjunction with R732 (Aortic valve replacement) or as part of a patch aortoplasty.
- Select this code when the surgical objective is the physical enlargement of a narrow aortic annulus to accommodate a larger prosthetic valve, distinguishing it from standard valve replacement procedures.
Common Pitfalls
- Do not bill E656 as a standalone procedure if it is performed during a more comprehensive aortic root reconstruction that is already captured by a higher-valued primary code.
- Avoid billing E656 if the procedure is merely a simple suture repair of the annulus, as the code specifically requires reconstruction or enlargement (patch aortoplasty) to meet the criteria.
Billing Tips
- E656 is explicitly eligible to be billed in addition to the primary valve replacement procedure (R732), so ensure both are submitted on the same claim to capture the full procedural value.
- Always verify if the patient qualifies for age-based premiums (e.g., AGE_PREMIUM_UNDER_30D) or after-hours premiums (E409/E410) if the surgery is non-elective, as these apply to the total procedural fee.
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