N143 – Drainage by burr hole(s) - unilateral
OHIP Otolaryngology Code — NEUROLOGICAL SURGICAL PROCEDURES · Schedule of Benefits
N143 represents a neurosurgical procedure. As a surgical service, its payment is governed by the general rules for surgical procedures outlined in the - of the Schedule of Benefits. Payment is structured to include separate compensation for the primary surgeon (suffix <suffix>A</suffix>), a surgical assistant (suffix <suffix>B</suffix>), and an anaesthesiologist (suffix <suffix>C</suffix>). The fees for assistant and anaesthesia services are calculated based on a combination of basic units and time units. A range of add-on premiums may be applicable, including those for services rendered after hours, age-based premiums for pediatric patients, the trauma premium for severely injured patients, and extra units for anaesthesia under specific conditions (e.g., patient age, BMI, ASA status).
When to Use
- Use N143 for the initial or standalone drainage of a hematoma or abscess via a single burr hole when no further craniotomy is performed.
- Select N143 when performing a diagnostic burr hole for intracranial pressure monitoring or biopsy that does not progress to a more extensive N144 or N148 procedure.
Common Pitfalls
- Billing N143 in addition to N144 or N148 on the same day is a common rejection, as these are considered inclusive of the burr hole access.
- Failing to document the specific laterality of the burr hole can lead to audit discrepancies, as N143 is strictly defined as unilateral.
Billing Tips
- Ensure the anaesthesia and surgical assistant units are set to 7, as this is the established base unit value for this procedure.
- If a second burr hole is required on the contralateral side during the same operative session, bill the second procedure with the appropriate bilateral indicator or suffix as per the Schedule of Benefits.
Effective: April 1, 2025
X. Neurological Surgical Procedures
NEUROLOGICAL SURGICAL PROCEDURES
Surgical
Neurological Surgical Procedures
The specific description for N143 is not available in the provided context. The details are derived from general rules for surgical procedures. The title 'Neurosurgical Procedure' is a general descriptor based on the code's section.
The base units for anaesthesia and assistant services are 7, as specified on p. of the Schedule of Benefits. According to , where assistant units are not specified, they are the same as the anaesthesia units.
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