What is OHIP billing code R131?

R131 is "Elevation of free island bone flap and closure of defect", an OHIP Radiology code from the Ontario Schedule of Benefits (Physician Services).

How much does R131 pay?

The current OHIP fee for R131 is $874.60, effective 2025-04-01, per the Ontario Schedule of Benefits.

How do I bill R131 to OHIP?

R131 is submitted through OHIP's MCEDT claims system, either directly or via billing software. SnapBill validates R131 claims against the Schedule of Benefits rules before submission.

What codes are related to R131?

Codes related to R131 in the Schedule of Benefits include R128, R129, R123, R130, R132, R124, R133, R134.

All codes

R131

R131 – Elevation of free island bone flap and closure of defect

OHIP Radiology Code — INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM SURGICAL PROCEDURES · Schedule of Benefits

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This surgical procedure involves the elevation of a free island bone flap and the subsequent closure of the defect. This is a complex reconstructive procedure. Payment for this service is for the surgeon (suffix A) and includes all common and specific elements of a surgical procedure as defined in the General Preamble (-). Associated services for a surgical assistant (suffix B) and anaesthetist (suffix C) are also eligible for payment and are calculated based on basic units plus time-based units.

When to Use

Use R131 specifically for the elevation phase of a free island bone flap, distinct from the recipient site preparation (R132) or the final microvascular transplantation (R133).
Apply this code when the reconstructive plan requires harvesting a bone-containing free flap where the bone is the primary or significant component of the island.

Common Pitfalls

Billing R131 in isolation without corresponding codes for recipient site preparation (R132) or transplantation (R133) often triggers audit flags for incomplete reconstructive sequences.
Attempting to bill a second surgical assistant for R131 without prior medical consultant authorization will result in automatic rejection, as it is not on the pre-approved list.

Billing Tips

Ensure the operative report clearly delineates the time and effort spent on the elevation phase versus the recipient site preparation to justify the use of separate R-series codes.
Always verify if the patient meets the trauma criteria (ISS > 15 for adults) to apply the E420 premium, as this provides a higher percentage increase than standard after-hours premiums.

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Provider Fee$874.60

Surgical Assistant Fee$125.10

Anaesthetist Fee$154.90

Non-Anaesthetist Fee$154.90

Effective: April 1, 2025

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