What is OHIP billing code J051?

J051 is "Percutaneous spinal cord puncture for syringogram", an OHIP Cardio-Thoracic Surgery code from the Ontario Schedule of Benefits (Physician Services).

How much does J051 pay?

The current OHIP fee for J051 is $166.95, effective 2026-04-01, per the Ontario Schedule of Benefits.

How do I bill J051 to OHIP?

J051 is submitted through OHIP's MCEDT claims system, either directly or via billing software. SnapBill validates J051 claims against the Schedule of Benefits rules before submission.

What codes are related to J051?

Codes related to J051 in the Schedule of Benefits include M400B.

All codes

J051

J051 – Percutaneous spinal cord puncture for syringogram

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

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Percutaneous spinal cord puncture for syringogram is a clinical procedure associated with diagnostic radiological examinations. This procedure involves puncturing the spinal cord percutaneously to perform a syringogram.

When to Use

Use J051 exclusively for the percutaneous puncture of the spinal cord required to facilitate a diagnostic syringogram.
This code is appropriate when the procedure is performed as a standalone clinical intervention associated with diagnostic imaging, distinct from the imaging interpretation itself.

Common Pitfalls

Billing J051 in conjunction with other spinal procedures without ensuring the clinical documentation clearly supports the distinct nature of the percutaneous puncture.
Attempting to bill for surgical assistance on J051 without prior authorization from a medical consultant, which will result in automatic rejection of the M400B claim.
Confusing J051 with general spinal diagnostic codes; ensure the procedure specifically involved a puncture for a syringogram to avoid audit flags.

Billing Tips

If a surgical assistant is required, you must submit a formal letter to the Ministry outlining the medical necessity to obtain authorization before the M400B claim will be processed.
Always verify if the procedure qualifies for after-hours premiums (E409/E410) based on the exact start time, as J051 is explicitly listed as a qualifying procedure for these enhancements.

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Provider Fee$166.95

Anaesthetist Fee$95.76

Non-Anaesthetist Fee$95.76

Effective: April 1, 2026

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