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J318
J318 – Arterialized venous blood sample collection
OHIP Cardio-Thoracic Surgery Code — PULMONARY FUNCTION STUDIES · Schedule of Benefits
J318 represents the technical service of an arterialized venous blood sample collection, such as from an ear lobe. As per the Schedule of Benefits, this service is listed under Stage II of the Pulmonary Function Studies. It has an 'H' fee (technical component) but no 'P' fee (professional component), meaning it is not directly billable by a physician for their professional service. The technical component is generally only payable when rendered in an approved facility like a hospital.
When to Use
- This code is strictly a facility-level technical fee for the collection of arterialized venous blood, typically via earlobe puncture, performed within an approved hospital or laboratory setting.
- It is utilized by the facility to capture the technical cost of the procedure when performed in conjunction with pulmonary function testing, such as J313 or J316, where arterialized sampling is required.
Common Pitfalls
- Physicians often incorrectly attempt to bill J318 for their own professional time; however, because the code lacks a 'P' component, any claim submitted by a physician will be rejected.
- Attempting to bill J318 in a private office setting will result in a rejection, as the technical component is only eligible for payment when the service is rendered in a designated facility.
Billing Tips
- Do not include J318 in your personal OHIP billings, as it is intended solely for institutional billing departments to recover technical costs associated with the procedure.
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