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N505
N505 – Vertebrectomy (removal of vertebral body and excision of adjacent discs)
OHIP Otolaryngology Code — SPINAL SURGICAL PROCEDURES · Schedule of Benefits
Anterior spinal decompression via vertebrectomy, which involves the removal of a vertebral body and excision of adjacent discs at a single thoracic level. This fee code is specifically used when the thoracotomy approach is performed by a separate surgeon. The add-on code E360 is payable for each additional level decompressed.
When to Use
- Use N505 for a thoracic vertebrectomy when a separate surgeon performs the thoracotomy approach.
- Use N505 as the primary base code for the first thoracic level, then append E360 for each additional thoracic level decompressed in the same operative session.
Common Pitfalls
- Billing N505 when the same surgeon performs both the thoracotomy and the vertebrectomy; this code specifically assumes a separate surgeon for the approach.
- Attempting to bill N505 with N569 (anterior cervical decompression); the Schedule of Benefits explicitly excludes this combination.
Billing Tips
- Ensure the operative report clearly identifies the separate surgeon for the thoracotomy to support the use of N505 over other spinal decompression codes.
- Always verify that E360 is only applied to additional thoracic levels, as N505 covers the initial level.
Provider Fee$1,428.00
Surgical Assistant Fee$150.12
Anaesthetist Fee$263.33
Non-Anaesthetist Fee$263.33
Effective: April 1, 2025
Category
Z. Spinal Surgical Procedures
Subcategory
SPINAL SURGICAL PROCEDURES
Service Type
Surgical
Code Classes
Spinal Surgical Procedures, Surgical Assistants' Services, Anaesthesiologists' Services
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