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L824
L824 – Synovial fluid analysis
OHIP Dermatology Code — DIAGNOSTIC AND THERAPEUTIC PROCEDURES · Schedule of Benefits
Synovial fluid analysis, including description, viscosity, mucin clot, cell count, and compensated polarized light microscopy for crystals.
When to Use
- Use L824 when you perform a comprehensive synovial fluid analysis including viscosity, mucin clot, cell count, and crystal identification via polarized light microscopy.
- Select L824 over L825 when the full diagnostic workup is completed in-office, as L825 is restricted to the microscopic examination component only.
Common Pitfalls
- Billing L824 in addition to a separate fee for polarized light microscopy is a common audit trigger, as the microscopy is explicitly included in the L824 fee.
- Submitting L824 without documenting the specific findings for all required components—viscosity, mucin clot, and cell count—will lead to recovery during a post-payment audit.
Billing Tips
- Ensure your clinical note explicitly lists the results for all four required components to satisfy the Schedule of Benefits requirements for this specific laboratory procedure.
Provider Fee$25.40
Effective: April 1, 2026
Category
J. Diagnostic and Therapeutic Procedures
Subcategory
DIAGNOSTIC AND THERAPEUTIC PROCEDURES
Service Type
Laboratory
Code Classes
Diagnostic and Therapeutic Procedures
Referral RequiredFrom: Physician, NursePractitioner, OralMaxillofacialSurgeon
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