N569 – Anterior cervical decompression by intra-oral approach
OHIP Otolaryngology Code — SPINAL SURGICAL PROCEDURES · Schedule of Benefits
Anterior cervical decompression by intra-oral approach. This is a surgical procedure with 15 base units for anaesthesia (suffix C) and 15 base units for a surgical assistant (suffix B). Time units are calculated in addition to the base units as per the rules outlined in the General Preamble of the Schedule. Note: No other anterior cervical decompression codes (i.e. N500, N501, E360) are eligible for payment when rendered with anterior cervical decompression by intra-oral approach (N569).
When to Use
- Use N569 specifically for transoral decompression of the upper cervical spine, such as for basilar invagination or odontoid pathology.
- Select N569 when the surgical approach is strictly intra-oral, as it is the exclusive code for this specific anatomical route.
Common Pitfalls
- Attempting to bill N500 or N501 in conjunction with N569 will trigger an automatic rejection due to the explicit restriction in the Schedule.
- Failure to document the intra-oral approach clearly can lead to audit scrutiny, as N569 carries a significantly higher base unit value than standard anterior cervical procedures.
Billing Tips
- Ensure the anaesthesia and surgical assistant units are calculated based on the 15 base units assigned to N569, plus the applicable time units as per the General Preamble.
Effective: April 1, 2025
Z. Spinal Surgical Procedures
SPINAL SURGICAL PROCEDURES
Surgical
Spinal Surgical Procedures
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