H989 – Additional person(s) seen
OHIP Obstetrics Code — GENERAL PREAMBLE · Schedule of Benefits
This premium is for an additional patient seen during a special visit to an Emergency Department or Hospital Urgent Care Clinic by an 'Emergency Department Physician' (as defined on ). It applies to each non-elective service rendered to an additional patient (after the first) that commences on a Saturday, Sunday, or Holiday between 07:00 and 24:00. This premium requires that the physician be called in to the hospital for the special visit and must be billed with an appropriate 'A' prefix assessment code from the General Listings.
When to Use
- Use H989 for the second and subsequent patients seen during a single call-in to the Emergency Department on a weekend or holiday between 07:00 and 24:00.
- Apply this code when you have already billed the primary special visit premium (H988) for the first patient seen during that same call-in event.
Common Pitfalls
- Billing H989 without an accompanying 'A' prefix assessment code from the General Listings will result in an automatic rejection.
- Attempting to bill H989 when you were already physically present in the hospital at the time of the request is a common audit trigger, as this premium requires a call-in to the facility.
- Using H989 for elective services or during weekday hours outside of the specified weekend/holiday window is ineligible for payment.
Billing Tips
- Ensure the time of the request to attend is clearly documented in the chart to substantiate the 'call-in' requirement for the special visit premium.
- Always link H989 to the specific 'A' prefix assessment code rendered for that additional patient to ensure the claim correctly identifies the service provided.
Effective: April 1, 2026
GP. General Preamble
GENERAL PREAMBLE
Premium
Special Visit Premiums (Table V - Emergency Department by Emergency Department Physician)
The time of the request to attend in the emergency department must be documented on the medical record.
The specific situation requiring the physician's attendance must be documented on the medical record.
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