N573 – Anterior odontoid screw fixation
OHIP Otolaryngology Code — SPINAL SURGICAL PROCEDURES · Schedule of Benefits
Anterior odontoid screw fixation is a surgical procedure to treat fractures of the spine. The fee for the surgeon (suffix A) is a flat rate, while the fees for the assistant (suffix B) and anaesthesiologist (suffix C) are calculated using base units and time units. - Assistant (B): 8 base units plus time units per . - Anaesthesia (C): 11 base units plus time units per . Note: Per page , no other services in the 'Spinal Surgical Procedures' section are eligible for payment when rendered with N573 except for stereotactic guidance codes E378 or E379.
When to Use
- Use N573 for the definitive anterior screw fixation of an acute odontoid fracture in a hospital setting.
- Use N573 when performing the procedure in conjunction with 3D stereotactic guidance (E378) or 2D stereotactic guidance (E379) to ensure accurate screw placement.
Common Pitfalls
- Billing any other procedure from the 'Spinal Surgical Procedures' section on the same day as N573 will result in a rejection, as per the Z10 restriction.
- Failing to document the Injury Severity Score (ISS) in the medical record will lead to the recovery of the E420 trauma premium during an audit.
Billing Tips
- Ensure the claim includes E378 or E379 if stereotactic guidance was utilized, as these are the only spinal procedure codes permitted alongside N573.
- For the surgical assistant and anaesthesiologist, ensure time units are calculated accurately according to GP86 and GP93, respectively, to avoid underpayment of the total fee.
Effective: April 1, 2025
Z. Spinal Surgical Procedures
SPINAL SURGICAL PROCEDURES
Surgical
Spinal Surgical Procedures
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