What is OHIP billing code N548?

N548 is "Incision and drainage only, posterior approach", an OHIP Otolaryngology code from the Ontario Schedule of Benefits (Physician Services).

How much does N548 pay?

The current OHIP fee for N548 is $102.00, effective 2025-04-01, per the Ontario Schedule of Benefits.

How do I bill N548 to OHIP?

N548 is submitted through OHIP's MCEDT claims system, either directly or via billing software. SnapBill validates N548 claims against the Schedule of Benefits rules before submission.

What codes are related to N548?

Codes related to N548 in the Schedule of Benefits include N550.

All codes

N548

N548 – Incision and drainage only, posterior approach

OHIP Otolaryngology Code — SPINAL SURGICAL PROCEDURES · Schedule of Benefits

Ask AI Bill This Code — Sign Up Free

N548 is a surgical procedure for spinal osteomyelitis, consisting of an incision and drainage only, performed via a posterior approach. It is not payable in conjunction with sequestrectomy (N550) as it is considered a component of that service.

When to Use

Use N548 when performing a standalone incision and drainage for spinal osteomyelitis via a posterior approach where no bone removal (sequestrectomy) is required.
Use this code for urgent bedside or OR drainage procedures where the scope of work is strictly limited to the evacuation of an abscess or collection.

Common Pitfalls

Submitting N548 alongside N550 will trigger an automatic rejection, as the Ministry considers the drainage a component of the sequestrectomy procedure.
Attempting to bill N548 for procedures involving spinal instrumentation or complex debridement, which may require more comprehensive surgical codes rather than this specific drainage-only code.

Billing Tips

Ensure the posterior approach is clearly documented in the operative report to justify the use of N548 over other potential drainage codes.
If the procedure is performed after hours, ensure the appropriate after-hours premium (E409 or E410) is appended to the claim to maximize the procedural fee.

Have a specific question? Ask our billing assistant

Provider Fee$102.00

Surgical Assistant Fee$75.06

Anaesthetist Fee$108.43

Non-Anaesthetist Fee$108.43

Effective: April 1, 2025

Ready to bill this code?

SnapBill makes OHIP billing simple — auto-filled codes, validation, and batch submission.

Get Started Free Already have an account? Sign in