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L826
L826 – Blood film interpretation (special stain)
OHIP Dermatology Code — DIAGNOSTIC AND THERAPEUTIC PROCEDURES · Schedule of Benefits
Blood film interpretation (special stain) is a diagnostic service in haematopathology. This service involves the professional interpretation by a physician of a blood film that has been treated with a special stain, which is distinct from the standard Romanowsky stain used for L800.
When to Use
- Use L826 when performing a professional interpretation of a blood film requiring cytochemical special stains, such as Peroxidase, Sudan Black B, or PAS, to differentiate acute leukemias.
- Select L826 for iron stains (Prussian Blue) on peripheral blood smears when assessing for sideroblastic anemia or iron overload, as these are distinct from the routine morphology covered by L800.
Common Pitfalls
- Billing L826 for routine peripheral blood smear reviews that only utilize standard Romanowsky or Wright-Giemsa stains, which must be billed under L800.
- Submitting L826 alongside L800 for the same specimen; the Ministry considers the interpretation of the smear a single professional service regardless of the number of stains applied unless specific clinical criteria for separate diagnostic procedures are met.
Billing Tips
- Ensure your laboratory report explicitly documents the specific special stain performed and the resulting diagnostic interpretation to justify the higher complexity fee compared to L800.
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