K620 – Consultation for involuntary psychiatric treatment
OHIP Consultation & Visit Premium Codes Code — CONSULTATIONS AND VISITS · Schedule of Benefits
A consultation for involuntary psychiatric treatment in accordance with the Mental Health Act. The service includes the necessary psychiatric history, inquiry, and examination to complete the relevant forms and notify appropriate parties. This service is time-based, with a unit representing a half-hour or major part thereof. For detailed time-keeping requirements, refer to and of the General Preamble.
When to Use
- Use K620 when performing the psychiatric assessment required to complete a Form 1 under the Mental Health Act following a formal request from another physician or nurse practitioner.
- Use this code for the time-based assessment and documentation process required to determine if a patient meets the criteria for involuntary psychiatric admission.
Common Pitfalls
- Billing K620 on the same day as K624 (Certification) or K629 (Re-certification) will result in the K620 being paid at nil, as these are considered bundled services.
- Failing to record exact start and end times in the medical record is a frequent audit trigger that leads to full recovery of the claim.
- Attempting to bill K620 without a valid referral from a physician or nurse practitioner will result in the claim being downgraded to a standard assessment fee.
Billing Tips
- Since K620 is time-based, ensure your documentation explicitly states the total duration of the assessment to justify the number of units claimed, as per GP7 and GP55 requirements.
Effective: April 1, 2025
A. Consultations and Visits
CONSULTATIONS AND VISITS
Consultation
Consultations, Assessments, Psychotherapy, Psychiatric and Counselling Services
A completed Form 1 Application by a Physician For Psychiatric Assessment retained on the patient's medical record is sufficient documentation to indicate that a consultation for involuntary psychiatric treatment has been requested by the referring physician.
The service includes completing the relevant forms under the Mental Health Act.
The physician must record the start and end times of the service in the patient's permanent medical record.
A completed Form 1 Application by a Physician For Psychiatric Assessment retained on the patient's medical record is sufficient documentation to indicate that a consultation for involuntary psychiatric treatment has been requested by the referring physician.
For interviews with relatives, Children's Aid Society (CAS) staff, or legal guardians on behalf of a patient, see listings in Family Practice & Practice In General.
Certification of incompetence (financial) including the assessment to determine incompetence is not an insured benefit.
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