J188 – Transcranial doppler follow-up study
OHIP Cardio-Thoracic Surgery Code — DIAGNOSTIC ULTRASOUND · Schedule of Benefits
This service is for the professional component ('P') of a follow-up transcranial doppler assessment of the intracranial circulation. The study must last for at least 50 minutes. It is only payable as a follow-up when rendered within 4 weeks of a J186 (assessment with power mode doppler) or J187 (prolonged study). As per , the start and end times must be recorded in the patient's medical record.
When to Use
- Use J188 for a follow-up transcranial doppler study when the patient has received a J186 or J187 service within the preceding 4-week window.
- Use this code specifically when the assessment duration is confirmed to be at least 50 minutes of active professional time.
Common Pitfalls
- Billing J188 without a preceding J186 or J187 within the 4-week eligibility window will result in automatic rejection.
- Failure to explicitly document the start and end times in the patient's permanent medical record is a primary cause for audit recovery.
- Attempting to bill J188 on the same day as J186, J187, or J189 will trigger a rejection due to the mutually exclusive billing rules.
Billing Tips
- Ensure the 50-minute threshold is strictly met and documented; time spent on report generation does not count toward the required 50-minute service duration.
- Verify the date of the initial J186 or J187 service before submission to ensure the 4-week follow-up window has not been exceeded.
Effective: April 1, 2025
G. Diagnostic Ultrasound
DIAGNOSTIC ULTRASOUND
Diagnostic
Diagnostic Ultrasound
The physician must record on the patient's permanent medical record or chart the time when the insured service started and ended.
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