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G328
G328 – Aspiration of bursa or complex joint
OHIP Diagnostic & Therapeutic Procedures Code — DIAGNOSTIC AND THERAPEUTIC PROCEDURES · Schedule of Benefits
Aspiration of bursa or complex joint, with or without injection. For the purpose of G328, a joint is defined as complex only if it is: a. a joint other than the knee; or b. a knee joint in which the anatomy is distorted by disseminated lupus erythaematosus, dermatomyositis, rheumatoid arthritis, Still's disease, ankylosing spondylitis or other seronegative spondyloarthropathies. Payment is subject to all applicable rules and definitions in the Schedule of Benefits General Preamble (-).
When to Use
- Use for the aspiration of the shoulder, elbow, wrist, or ankle, as these qualify as complex joints under the definition of any joint other than the knee.
- Use for the aspiration of a knee joint specifically when the patient has a documented diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis or another seronegative spondyloarthropathy that distorts the anatomy.
- Use for the aspiration of a bursa, excluding the olecranon bursa, which must be billed under G370 or G371.
Common Pitfalls
- Billing G328 for a simple knee injection without aspiration or for a knee injection in a patient without the specified inflammatory arthropathies will result in rejection.
- Attempting to bill G328 for the aspiration of the olecranon bursa is an error, as this site is restricted to G370 or G371.
- Submitting G328 for intra-articular viscosupplementation is prohibited, as these agents are considered uninsured services.
Billing Tips
- Always append the E542 add-on code when the procedure is performed in an office setting outside of a hospital to capture the appropriate fee adjustment.
- Ensure the clinical note explicitly documents the inflammatory condition when performing this procedure on a knee to justify the 'complex' designation and prevent audit recovery.
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