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E949
E949 – Strabismus procedure - for adjustable suture
OHIP Surgical Assists Code — OCULAR SURGICAL PROCEDURES · Schedule of Benefits
The fee for an adjustable suture technique used during strabismus repair procedures. This service is billed in addition to the primary surgical codes for strabismus repair, such as E185 (horizontal or vertical rectus muscle), E184 (inferior oblique muscle), E183 (superior oblique muscle), or E182 (transposition of extraocular muscle).
When to Use
- Use E949 when performing an adjustable suture technique on a rectus muscle in conjunction with E185 to allow for post-operative alignment adjustment.
- Apply E949 when utilizing adjustable suture methods for oblique muscle surgery (E184 or E183) where the specific technique is required for surgical success.
- Use E949 when performing transposition procedures (E182) that incorporate an adjustable suture component to manage complex strabismus.
Common Pitfalls
- Billing E949 as a standalone procedure; it must be submitted in conjunction with a primary strabismus surgical code to be valid.
- Failing to document the specific use of the adjustable suture technique, which is a requirement for audit compliance given the add-on nature of the fee.
- Attempting to bill E949 multiple times for the same muscle; it is generally considered a per-procedure add-on rather than a per-suture fee.
Billing Tips
- Ensure E949 is linked to the primary procedure code (e.g., E185) on the same claim to avoid automatic rejection for missing base service.
- Verify that the surgical report explicitly describes the adjustable suture technique, as this is the primary evidence required to support the additional $180.00 fee.
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