J833 – Salivary gland scintigraphy
OHIP Cardio-Thoracic Surgery Code — NUCLEAR MEDICINE - IN VIVO · Schedule of Benefits
Salivary gland scintigraphy is a diagnostic nuclear medicine procedure, listed under the Gastrointestinal System section, used to assess the function of the salivary glands. As per the Schedule of Benefits, this service is comprised of two components which are claimed separately: a technical component (H fee) and a professional component (P fee) for interpretation. The technical component is only payable for services rendered in a hospital.
When to Use
- Use J833 when performing a diagnostic scintigraphy to evaluate salivary gland function, such as in the investigation of suspected Sjogren's syndrome or chronic sialadenitis.
- Use this code specifically for nuclear medicine imaging of the salivary glands; do not use it for ultrasound-based imaging of the same structures, which would fall under different diagnostic categories.
Common Pitfalls
- Failing to split the claim into the technical component (J833B) and the professional component (J833C) will result in a rejection or incorrect payment.
- Attempting to bill the technical component (J833B) for services performed in a private clinic or office setting is a common audit trigger, as this component is strictly restricted to hospital-based services.
- Omitting the required referral information from the billing record, as J833 is a diagnostic service that mandates a referral from a physician, nurse practitioner, or oral maxillofacial surgeon.
Billing Tips
- Always ensure the hospital facility number is correctly associated with the J833B technical component claim to avoid automatic rejection by the Ministry.
- If the interpretation is urgent and occurs after hours in a hospital setting, ensure you select the appropriate Special Visit Premium (C102-C110) rather than attempting to add a premium to the J833 code itself.
Effective: April 1, 2025
B. Nuclear Medicine - IN VIVO
NUCLEAR MEDICINE - IN VIVO
Diagnostic
Nuclear Medicine - IN VIVO
The medical record must establish that the service was provided, is the service that was submitted for payment, and was medically necessary.
For the technical component, the physician must maintain documentation describing the process by which quality assurance is monitored in accordance with professional standards.
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