K015 – Counselling of relatives - on behalf of catastrophically or terminally ill patient
OHIP Consultation & Visit Premium Codes Code — CONSULTATIONS AND VISITS · Schedule of Benefits
Counselling of relatives on behalf of a catastrophically or terminally ill patient is counselling rendered to a relative or relatives or representative of a catastrophically or terminally ill patient, for the purpose of developing an awareness of modalities for treatment of the patient and/or his or her prognosis. This service is for one or more persons and is calculated in time units of 1/2 hour or a major part thereof. In addition to the common elements, this service includes the following specific elements: - Performing the appropriate interaction with the patient's relative(s) or representative, which may include appropriate inquiries to arrive at an opinion as to the nature of the patient's condition. - Performing any procedure(s) during the same encounter unless separately payable. - Making arrangements for any related assessments, procedures, or therapy. - Making arrangements for follow-up care. - Discussion with, and providing advice and information, including prescribing therapy. - When medically indicated, monitoring the condition of the patient and intervening, until the next insured service is rendered. - Providing premises, equipment, supplies, and personnel for the specific elements of the service. See General Preamble pages to for full details on counselling services.
When to Use
- Use K015 when providing a dedicated 20+ minute session to family members to discuss the prognosis and treatment plan of a patient who meets the criteria for terminal or catastrophic illness.
- Use this code when the focus of the encounter is exclusively on the relatives' understanding of the patient's end-of-life care, rather than a standard assessment or visit with the patient present.
Common Pitfalls
- Billing K015 on the same day as a standard office visit (A007) or consultation (A005) for the same patient will result in a rejection, as counselling services are generally exclusive of other visit codes.
- Failing to document precise start and end times in the patient's chart is a primary cause for audit recovery; 'counselling provided' is insufficient documentation.
- Attempting to bill K015 for routine updates or brief family check-ins that do not meet the 20-minute minimum threshold, which should instead be captured under a standard visit code.
Billing Tips
- Ensure the claim is submitted using the patient's health number, even though the service was rendered to the relatives.
- Verify that the patient's condition is formally documented as terminal or catastrophic in the medical record to support the use of K015 over general counselling codes like K013.
Effective: April 1, 2026
A. Consultations and Visits
CONSULTATIONS AND VISITS
Other
Psychotherapy, Psychiatric and Counselling Services
The claim must be submitted under the health number of the patient who is catastrophically or terminally ill.
The physician must record the start and end time of the service in the patient's permanent medical record or chart.
Unit means ½ hour or major part thereof - see General Preamble , to for definitions and time-keeping requirements.
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