What is OHIP billing code J048?

J048 is "Percutaneous trans-hepatic catheter portal venography", an OHIP Cardio-Thoracic Surgery code from the Ontario Schedule of Benefits (Physician Services).

How much does J048 pay?

The current OHIP fee for J048 is $476.65, effective 2026-04-01, per the Ontario Schedule of Benefits.

How do I bill J048 to OHIP?

J048 is submitted through OHIP's MCEDT claims system, either directly or via billing software. SnapBill validates J048 claims against the Schedule of Benefits rules before submission.

All codes

J048

J048 – Percutaneous trans-hepatic catheter portal venography

OHIP Cardio-Thoracic Surgery Code — CLINICAL PROCEDURES ASSOCIATED WITH DIAGNOSTIC RADIOLOGICAL EXAMINATIONS · Schedule of Benefits

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Percutaneous trans-hepatic catheter portal venography is a clinical procedure associated with diagnostic radiological examinations. This procedure involves inserting a catheter through the liver into the portal vein for imaging purposes. Payment for this service is for the physician performing the procedure (suffix A) and for anaesthesia services (suffix C) if required. Refer to the General Preamble for rules on anaesthesia and surgical assistant payment.

When to Use

Use J048 when performing a diagnostic percutaneous trans-hepatic portal venogram to visualize the portal venous system via direct liver puncture.
Use this code for portal vein catheterization specifically for diagnostic imaging purposes, distinguishing it from therapeutic interventions like TIPS (Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt) which utilize different procedural codes.

Common Pitfalls

Billing J048 for a transjugular approach is incorrect; J048 is specifically for the percutaneous trans-hepatic route.
Attempting to bill J048 as a standalone procedure when it is part of a more comprehensive interventional radiological procedure may lead to rejection for unbundling; ensure the service is purely diagnostic as defined.
Failure to include the required suffix (A for the surgeon/radiologist, C for anaesthesia) will result in immediate claim rejection.

Billing Tips

Ensure the procedure is performed in a hospital setting to remain eligible for the associated anaesthesia premiums and special visit premiums like C999C.
If an anaesthesiologist is required, remember that J048 does not have pre-assigned basic units, so you must calculate the anaesthetic fee based on time units relative to a comparable procedure as per the General Preamble.

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Provider Fee$476.65

Anaesthetist Fee$95.76

Non-Anaesthetist Fee$95.76

Effective: April 1, 2026

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