J056 – Transcatheter fibrinolytic therapy
OHIP Cardio-Thoracic Surgery Code — CLINICAL PROCEDURES ASSOCIATED WITH DIAGNOSTIC RADIOLOGICAL EXAMINATIONS · Schedule of Benefits
J056 is a service for transcatheter fibrinolytic therapy. This procedure falls under the 'Clinical Procedures Associated with Diagnostic Radiological Examinations' and is a form of angiography by catheterization. It is eligible for surgeon (A) and anaesthetist (C) fees. It may also be eligible for after-hours premiums (E409, E410) and the trauma premium (E420).
When to Use
- Use J056 for the administration of fibrinolytic agents directly into a thrombus via a catheter in the setting of acute peripheral arterial or venous occlusion.
- Select J056 when performing catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or peripheral arterial occlusion, distinct from simple diagnostic angiography.
Common Pitfalls
- Do not bill J056 in conjunction with diagnostic angiography codes if the angiography is an integral component of the catheter-directed thrombolysis procedure.
- Failure to document the specific start and end times for the fibrinolytic infusion can lead to audit scrutiny regarding the necessity of the procedure and associated after-hours premiums.
- Ensure the trauma premium E420 is only applied if the Injury Severity Score is explicitly recorded in the patient chart; missing this documentation will result in automatic claim rejection.
Billing Tips
- When billing for the anaesthetist, ensure the suffix C is applied and that basic units are calculated based on the complexity of the procedure compared to similar vascular interventions.
- If the procedure is performed after hours, ensure the claim includes the appropriate E-code (E409 or E410) and that the start time of the procedure is clearly indicated to justify the premium.
Effective: April 1, 2026
E. Clinical Procedures associated with Diagnostic Radiological Examinations
CLINICAL PROCEDURES ASSOCIATED WITH DIAGNOSTIC RADIOLOGICAL EXAMINATIONS
Procedure
Clinical Procedures associated with Diagnostic Radiological Examinations
Anaesthesia (suffix C) for this procedure is calculated using a combination of basic units and time units. While specific basic units for J056 are not listed, the fee is determined by comparison to a similar procedure. The service is also eligible for extra anaesthesia units based on patient age, weight (BMI > 40), position, and medical condition (ASA class) as outlined on to .
Ready to bill this code?
SnapBill makes OHIP billing simple — auto-filled codes, validation, and batch submission.